Book banning in South Africa has a complex history, rooted in the censorship laws of the apartheid era but persisting in various forms even today. During apartheid, books were banned under the Publications Act and the Suppression of Communism Act, targeting literature that challenged the regime’s racial and ideological supremacy. This period saw over 26,000 works, including significant texts by prominent authors like Steve Biko and André Brink, removed from public access. University libraries, like those at the University of Cape Town, were required to label and restrict these books. Today, previously banned books are displayed as important historical artifacts, reflecting the cultural suppression that South Africa endured and the significance of intellectual freedom in contemporary society.

Although apartheid-era laws were repealed in 1990, book banning still arises in South Africa, though in less extreme forms. For example, From the River to the Sea, a children’s coloring book about Palestine, was removed from Exclusive Books’ shelves after it drew criticism from pro-Israel groups, who claimed it promoted a biased narrative. This incident sparked debate over censorship and free speech in modern South Africa, with many arguing that limiting access to such books undermines the democratic value of open discourse.

Additionally, recent exhibitions, such as the University of Pretoria’s “Banned Books Exhibition,” highlight not only historical censorship but also caution against current trends, particularly around politically or socially sensitive topics. This event emphasized the significance of previously banned South African literature, showing how censorship has shaped—and continues to influence—public discourse.

For more information, the University of Pretoria’s and UCT’s exhibitions provide valuable insights into South Africa’s censorship history and the continued relevance of protecting access to controversial literature.

What are Banned Books?

Books were being banned in countries across the world long before the first public libraries appeared in parts of America. Typically, books were banned on moral, religious, or political grounds. They were believed to be obscene or too controversial to be read by society. Although we usually think of classics like George Orwell’s 1984 when referring to books that were banned, there are still many books being challenged and censored every year. Books that explore race, sexuality, and new concepts and ideas are still often prohibited by certain communities, although they can easily be purchased in most bookstores. Even Pulitzer Prize winning books like Art Spiegelman’s Maus, world-wide bestsellers like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and household staples like Harry Potter have recently been challenged and restricted. The good news is that we have an extensive list of banned books that are available to read today. Explore our list of the top banned & challenged books in libraries and schools at Barnes & Noble.

Top Banned & Challenged Books You Should Probably Read Immediately:

• Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
• 1984 by George Orwell
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
• New Kid by Jerry Craft
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

For a comprehensive list of banned books throughout the world , click here : List of Banned books in the world