By Morakabe Seakhoa
The South African Literary Awards (SALA) wishes to express its profound respect and admiration for Nobel Laureate J. M. Coetzee for his recent decision to decline participation in the International Writers Festival in Jerusalem, grounded in a deeply considered moral and ethical position.
Professor Coetzee has, throughout his distinguished career, exemplified the highest traditions of literary excellence – where the written word is not merely an aesthetic pursuit, but a moral instrument, a mirror to society, and a voice for the voiceless. His latest stance affirms this enduring legacy.
In choosing principle over prestige, and conscience over convenience, Coetzee reminds the global literary community that the responsibility of the writer extends beyond the page. It is a responsibility to interrogate power, to challenge injustice, and to stand firmly on the side of humanity.
SALA recognises that literature has always been central to the shaping of ethical consciousness, particularly in societies marked by histories of dispossession, oppression, conflict and inequality. South Africa’s own literary tradition, forged in the crucible of colonialism and apartheid, stands as testimony to the courage of writers who refused silence in the face of injustice. In this regard, Coetzee’s position resonates deeply with our national and continental heritage.
His action is not merely a refusal. It is an affirmation of the enduring values of justice, peace, human dignity and freedom. It is a call to artists, intellectuals and institutions alike to remain vigilant, reflective and accountable in times of moral crisis.
As SALA, an institution dedicated to celebrating literary excellence across all of South Africa’s languages, we stand in solidarity with voices that elevate the human condition and uphold the universal ideals that bind us as a global community.
We salute Professor J. M. Coetzee for his unwavering commitment to truth and for reminding us that, at its highest expression, literature is an act of conscience.
***
Morakabe Seakhoa is the Executive Director of the South African Literary Awards (SALA)