Niq Mhlongo

"What comes to my mind when I think of South African literature is awareness and education"

"I’m not much of a follower of South African literary prizes. I think most of them are not a true reflection of the rich and diverse literary landscape in the country"

"Joburg is part of me and I’m part of Joburg, once you live in Joburg, it touches you more than hands can ever do"

"I write to edutain and cathart. I write to educate, entertain and heal myself."

"Read, read, and read a lot, then write even if it doesn’t make sense at the moment"

"The second book is always a challenge because of the reception the first book received"

"If you don’t develop eyes in the back of your head, you won’t survive in Joburg. It’s a university without a professor."

"there is this idea of home being linked to love, but there are homes that are terrible, and then one has to find solace, sometimes in the most unexpected places"

"I’m very sceptical about book prizes and always have mixed feelings when they are announced"

"At some point I was said to be a ‘Kwaito generation’ writer and this sometimes came with negative stereotypes, as if I didn’t belong to the ‘writers club’ yet"

"Of course it would have been great if writing yielded some pecuniary benefits, but I’m still satisfied with the opportunities and the profile I have built for myself over the years"

"Mainstream publishing houses were not really connected to South African readers"

"I think every writer is, one way or the other, a literary diplomat, whether travelling or not"

"I lament the fact that everything good that represents Joburg has shifted and that the attention of city planners is now focused on places like Rosebank and Sandton, leaving the city centre neglected"