Discover a world of possibilities
Siphokazi Jonas showcases contemporary South African storytelling through her works, focusing on oral traditions. Her debut poetry collection, Weeping Becomes a River, and the children’s book Oli and the Island of Intsomi delve into themes of identity, gender, and justice, all while honoring cultural heritage.
An Ongoing Archive of Storytelling
Across all her work, Siphokazi Jonas continues to build an evolving archive of modern South African storytelling. Whether on stage, on screen, or on the page, her projects hold space for reflection and transformation.
Her writing speaks to the power of iintsomi, iinganekwane, and ditshomo—the oral traditions that have carried African knowledge systems across generations. Yet she brings these forms into the present, using them to interrogate issues of gender, identity, justice, and belonging in the 21st century.
Weeping Becomes a River
Siphokazi’s debut poetry collection, Weeping Becomes a River, published by Penguin Random House South Africa, marks a new chapter in her evolution as a writer. Written and performed in her own voice, the collection also exists as an audiobook—a format that captures her cadence, emotion, and musicality intimately. With original sound design and musical score by Elvis Sibeko , the audiobook is an invitation to a digital fireside which strengthens connection and imagination for listeners of all ages.
Oli and the Island of Intsomi
Ten-year-old Olinde Ukuthiywa feels out of place, with a name that signifies her untold story. Her life changes when a mysterious clay pot shatters, leading her to the Island of Intsomi, where children are losing their identities under King Prospero’s rule. With the help of her companion Ntengu and a hidden animal community, Oli learns she may be the last Storykeeper, tasked with preserving traditional stories. Armed with an ancestral necklace, she must find her voice and identity to craft a story powerful enough to free the island and its children from the king’s grasp.
