A to Z of Amazing South African Women
Author: Ambre Nicolson
Illustrator: Jaxon Hsu
This is no ordinary A to Z. With each letter of the alphabet this book honours the contribution of women to South Africa’s past, present and future. Using short, easy to read biographies and illustrations that are as bright and bold as the women they depict, this book shares the life stories of 26 South African rebels, artists, troublemakers, athletes, dancing queens and freedom fighters.
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A to Z of Amazing South African Women
From Fatima Meer to Caster Semenya, Cissie Gool to Thuli Madonsela, this is a book about women who ask too many questions, who defy injustice, who refuse to “know their place”. It is a celebration of the courage, determination and compassion of the activists, scientists and storytellers who have gone before us – as well as recognising the everyday heroism of ordinary South African women doing extraordinary things.
About the author:
Ambre Nicolson is a writer and editor who lives in Cape Town. Before and after obtaining degrees in English and journalism at Rhodes University, she was a cleaner in London, a wall painter in Barcelona, a language student in Shanghai, a book researcher in New York, a teacher in Taipei and a magazine editor in Cape Town. She edits the storytelling publication, Molo.
About the illustrator:
Jaxon Hsu grew up in Johannesburg before moving to Taipei to obtain a degree in advertising. He completed his MA in New York, where he worked as a sneaker designer and filmmaker. He is now a Cape Town-based designer, illustrator and photographer.
“A coffee book must-have.”
“A delight. It’s suitable for younger readers too, if you have godchildren — or your own children — you’d like to spoil. The book made me feel proud. How wonderful to see the extraordinary women of your country being shown in all of their power and fearlessness.”
“The book provokes the question: if women and girls in South Africa were less subject to the vast structural inequalities of this country, how many more Ruth Firsts or Lillian Ngoyis or Caster Semenyas would we have?”
“A must-read.”
