PAGECAST

Join the Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Tony Leon about his latest book, ‘Being There: Backstories from the Political Front’. Tony Leon offers insightful reflections on the nostalgia of childhood, the formative experiences of school, and the pivotal ‘what if’ moments that shape a life spent on the frontlines of South African politics...

In this episode of Pagecast, acclaimed journalist Gus Silber interviews the brilliant David Baddiel during his visit to South Africa for the 2025 Jewish Literary Festival. David Baddiel is a British comedian, bestselling author, and cultural commentator known for his sharp wit and thought-provoking works like Jews Don’t Count. His latest work is a deeply personal memoir called My Family. The book...

Breakups, makeups, and second chances! On this episode of Pagecast, Ute Hermanus sits down with bestselling romance author Jo Watson to dive into her latest irresistible read, The Ex Effect. From messy love stories to heartfelt humour, Jo shares what inspired the novel, how she crafts chemistry between characters, and why exes make the best (and worst) material. Don't miss this juicy literary chat...

In this episode of Pagecast, Jeremy Boraine sits down with acclaimed author James Whyle to discuss his latest literary work, We Two From Heaven. In this conversation they touch on the creative process, the themes that shaped the book, and the profound narratives woven throughout this remarkable work. Don't miss this insightful conversation that bridges literature and life. Whether you're a devoted...

Join us for a riveting conversation on Pagecast as Sewela Langeni sits down with Iris Mwanza to explore her gripping debut novel, The Lion's Den. This legal thriller set in Zambia's turbulent political landscape tackles themes of justice, gender equality, and systemic oppression. More about the book: Rookie lawyer Grace Zulu does not give up easily. She escaped an arranged marriage to put herself...

Join David Gorin as he sits down with Don Ross to discuss The Gambling Animal, a compelling exploration of human behaviour and risk-taking. Discover the psychology behind gambling, its societal impacts, and why we’re wired to take chances. Tune in for an insightful conversation. More about the book: Evolution is a series of bets, and no animal gambles the way humans do. This has led us to unpreced...

This week on Pagecast, Beverley Roos-Muller sits down with Gavin Evans to discuss his thought-provoking new book, White Supremacy: A Brief History of Hatred. Tune in for a deep dive into the complex and often disturbing history of white supremacy, and explore how its legacy continues to shape our world today. Don't miss this important conversation! 🎧 More about the book: White supremacy is on the...

This week on Pagecast, Michele Magwood is in conversation with John Stewart about his book, the first complete and comprehensive biography of Sir Herbert Baker. More about the book: Architect Sir Herbert Baker left an indelible mark on South Africa and much of the British Empire in the first half of the 20th century. This is the first full biography from childhood and was written with full coopera...

This week on Pagecast, Ndizwanga Nemanashi is in conversation with Dudu Nhlabathi-Madonsela about her book, The Dating Playbook. You can look forward to hearing Dudu answer all your burning questions about dating, love and desire. MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Dating is an extreme sport and no one survives it unscathed. But to find The One, you must get back in the game and keep at it. And like other extre...

This week on Pagecast, Qarnita Loxton is in conversation with Shameez Patel about her latest book, a geeky romantic comedy called Playing Flirty. MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: For Rose Marie Jones, risks are a hard no–except for Game Night. For one precious evening a week, Rose can forget about her demanding boss and her lackluster love life and focus on beating the pants off her friends. But none of them...

In this episode of Pagecast, we dive deep into the challenges of menopause and the powerful role your diet can play. Suzy Brokensha is in conversation with Dr Linia Patel about her authoritative cookbook, Food For Menopause. They share real insights on how food choices can make a huge difference in managing menopause naturally. If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause or you just want to...

“Comrade president, Stellenbosch is ’n groot probleem. Ons weet jy is na aan Stellenbosch … ons het Stellenbosch nie tot die parlement verkies nie. Ons het nie die Ruperts verkies nie.” – Die EFF-leier Julius Malema aan President Cyril Ramaphosa Daar word bitsig na hulle as die “Stellenbosch-Mafia” verwys en baie reken die klub van miljardêrs wat in en om dié Bolandse dorp woon, is die ergste voor...

Welcome to Pagecast, the podcast by Jonathan Ball Publishers that brings books to life! This festive season, we’re stepping into the world of booksellers to uncover the stories behind the stories. Join us as we explore Johannesburg’s literary scene, hearing directly from the experts – the booksellers themselves – about their top recommendations for the holidays. Whether you're searching for the pe...

Welcome to Pagecast, the podcast by Jonathan Ball Publishers that brings books to life! This festive season, we’re stepping into the world of bookstagrammers to uncover the stories behind the stories. Bookstagram is a community of book lovers on social media that share their love for all types of reads! Whether you're searching for the perfect gift or your next great read, we've got you covered. L...

Join us on Pagecast as CapeTalk's John Maytham interviews Professor Fransjohan Pretorius about the definitive account of Commando: A Boer Journal of the Anglo-Boer War. This historical masterpiece, written by Deneys Reitz, offers a firsthand account of the war, featuring pivotal figures like President Paul Kruger and Winston Churchill. Discover how Reitz's experiences shaped his perspective and fo...

This week, join Pnina Fenster as she delves into the mysteries of the afterlife with author Sarah Bullen, discussing her captivating book, "The Other Side: Journeys into Mysticism, Magic and Near Death." Dive into the realms of spirituality and discover how some individuals connect with worlds beyond our own, seeking answers to life's most profound questions. More about the book: What happens when...

🏉 New Episode Alert! 🎙️ On this episode of Pagecast, sports broadcaster Cato Louw chats with authors Lloyd Burnard and Khanyiso Tshwaku about Twice the Glory—the definitive account of the Springboks' epic journey to becoming four-time Rugby World Cup champions. "You only need to win a game by one point." – These words from Jacques Nienaber after South Africa’s 2023 RWC opener against Scotland bec...

On this episode of Pagecast, true-crime podcaster, freelance writer, and audiobook narrator Nicole Engelbrecht sits down with internationally acclaimed thriller writer Deon Meyer to discuss his gripping new novel, Leo. 📖 About the book: A student's mysterious death in the Stellenbosch mountains. A former special forces soldier silenced. A corrupt politician found dead on a golf course bunker, wit...

Join us on Pagecast as Antonio Garcia and Ian sit down with historian Karen Horn to discuss their groundbreaking book, Botha, Jan Smuts and the First World War. This unique volume explores the pivotal roles of Prime Minister Louis Botha and his deputy, Jan Smuts, as they navigated the Union Defence Force through internal rebellion and external threats during World War I. Discover how these legenda...

Join Lauren Beukes in this captivating episode of Pagecast as she chats with Sam Wilson about his thrilling new novel, The First Murder on Mars. This gripping tale introduces Rose Fuller, the first human born on Mars, who envisioned a brighter future that never came to pass. It also follows Dylan Ward, a frontier-raised woman navigating her way back to the wilderness. At its core, the story explor...

Join Karina Szczurek this week on Pagecast as she delves into the captivating world of art and passion with author Louisa Treger, discussing her latest novel, "The Paris Muse." This gripping tale explores the tumultuous relationship between Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso, set against the vibrant backdrop of 1930s Paris. Dive into the complexities of love, art, and identity in this unforgettable story...

In this episode of Pagecast, Jo Prins sits down with South African icon Ian Roberts to discuss his memoir, Nomad Heart. Known for his unforgettable roles as Sloet Steenkamp in Arende and Boet in the legendary Castrol adverts, Ian delves into his extraordinary journey from a free-spirited childhood on an Eastern Cape citrus farm to becoming a celebrated actor and musician. Nomad Heart offers a behi...

In this episode of Pagecast, award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis interviews Professor Jonathan Jansen about his powerful memoir, Breaking Bread. Known as a professor, pundit, and self-proclaimed “public nuisance,” Jansen has long been a fearless voice on South African schools, universities, race, politics, and society. In Breaking Bread, Jansen reflects on his formative years growing up in a de...

In Beeld 50 samesteller Erika de Beer, vertel dié geliefde koerant se joernaliste hoe hulle juis dit gedoen het deur die dekades en wat hulle steeds bybly van daardie ervaring. “Nooi, ek praat nie met julle nie. Julle lieg van bladsy een tot die einde . . . maar ek is nie so seker van die sport nie.” – “Kommandant-generaal” Fritz Meyer van die Wenkommando aan Carolien Saayman van Beeld Die afgelop...

Join us on Pagecast as bestselling author Pieter du Toit delves into the complex legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa. In his latest book, The Super Cadres, du Toit examines the party's journey from its early promise to its current state of dysfunction. He explores pivotal questions about the ANC's rise to power, the inevitability of its failures, and the impact of each pr...