I will keep adding African and South African short stories to this page as I find them. Some of the stories were written by African or African-American authors, and some are set in Africa or have African characters. The South African stories have their own section.
African Short Stories
A Carnival Jangle | Alice Ruth Moore (Dunbar-Nelson)
It’s Carnival in New Orleans. Everything is decorated and the streets swarm with people in costume. When two groups of young people cross paths, Flo is invited to leave hers and accompany the other.
“A Carnival Jangle” is the first story in the Amazon preview of Great Short Stories by African-American Writers.
“African Morning” by Langston Hughes
Murai is a half Black, half White boy living in the Niger Delta. His mother has recently died and was African. His father is English and is the president of the only bank in the area. He’s ostracized from the community due to his mixed parentage. (Summary)
The Arrangers of Marriage | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A woman from Lagos arrives in America to join her new husband. She discovers the reality of her new life, getting to know her husband, living situation, and American customs.
“The Arrangers of Marriage” is the first story in the Amazon preview of The Granta Book of the African Short Story.
No Witchcraft for Sale | Doris Lessing
The Farquars have a son, Teddy. He’s loved by Gideon, a servant of the family. When Teddy is six, he makes a disparaging comment about Gideon’s son, causing Gideon to distance himself from Teddy. One day Teddy has an accident.
This is the seventh story in the preview of African Stories.
The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber | Ernest Hemingway
The Macomber’s are an American couple on an African safari. They have a guide, Wilson, a professional hunter, who will lead their outing. It is revealed that Francis had panicked in an earlier hunt when a wounded lion charged at him.
This is the first story in the preview of The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway.
“The Snows of Kilimanjaro” by Ernest Hemingway
On the African savannah, a man’s leg is rotting with gangrene. His wife tries to comfort and encourage him. As he waits for death, he thinks about his life.
This is the third story in the preview of The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. (62% into the preview)
African Short Stories, Cont’d
“A Mild Attack of Locusts” by Doris Lessing
Warning of a swarm of locusts from the north reaches a farm. It’s been seven years since the last swarm, so they expect their maize crop to be destroyed. (Summary)
Civil Peace | Chinua Achebe
Jonathan Iwegbu and his family rebuild their lives after the Nigerian Civil War.
Vengeful Creditor | Chinua Achebe
The African government is now offering free primary education, causing a lot of servants and lowly paid workers to return to school. The Emenikes, educated and affluent, are upset when they lose some servants, including their nurse. Things turn around for them when the government suspends the free program due to higher than expected enrollment.
My Father, the Englishman, and I | Nuruddin Farah
The narrator remembers when he was a young boy and his father was an interpreter for the Administrator of the Ogaden. His father is subservient to the white man. His mother disapproves of her husband’s behavior.
The Green Leaves | Grace Ogot
African villagers look for a group of cattle thieves. One of the villagers tries to steal from one of the dead thieves.
Uncle Dick’s Rolf | Georgiana M. Craik
Uncle Dick tells the story of when he and his dog Rolf were out walking on a perfect African summer day. Dick decides he wants to go for a swim. As he undresses, Rolf interferes, excitedly jumping up at him and trying to drag him away from the river bank.
South African Short Stories
“The Park” by James Matthews
A black boy looks through the railing into the park where the white kids are playing. He wants to go in badly, but it’s against the law. A group of boys confront him, and he goes on his way. He has to deliver the washing his mother did. The park stays on his mind. (Summary)
“The Bench” by Richard Rive
Karlie is part of a crowd gathered in the public square. They’re listening to speeches condemning racial segregation and discrimination. Their words make sense to Karlie, and he’s motivated to challenge the discriminatory system. (Summary)
Happy Event | Nadine Gordimer
Ella is recovering from a medical procedure which she had so she and her husband could take their planned six month vacation. Before they leave they have to deal with the disagreements between their gardener and newly-hired maid; she has an important decision to make.
The Ultimate Safari | Nadine Gordimer
The narrator, a young girl, tells us that her mother and father left one day and never came back. Her village has been targeted by bandits who have taken everything. Fearing for their lives, the girl and her extended family set out on a long and difficult trek through South Africa to a refugee camp.
Africans | Sheila Kohler
The narrator tells the story of she and her sister, Mkatie, growing up, going to boarding school, and her sister’s eventual engagement. Along the way, the family’s servant, John—a Zulu, a people known for their loyalty—is an important part of their lives. When Mkatie gets married, John moves in with her and her husband.
Death of a Tsotsi | Alan Paton
Spike is in a reformatory in South Africa. He is a member of the tsotsis, a black gang. Spike gets visits from his mother, sister and her friend, Elizabeth, whom they want him to marry. He also gets visits from his fellow gang members. Spike knows he has to decide which way he will go, and prepares for the consequences.
A Company of Laughing Faces | Nadine Gordimer
Seventeen-year-old Kathy is taken by her mother to an affluent society party to meet people her own age and have some fun. She has trouble fitting in and has some eye-opening experiences.
Read “A Company of Laughing Faces”
The Train from Rhodesia | Nadine Gordimer
When a train stops at a poor, rural town the locals approach the windows to sell their wares and beg for pennies. An old African man tries to sell a carved lion to a couple, but they think the price is too high.
Read “The Train from Rhodesia”
Town and Country Lovers | Nadine Gordimer
In part 1, a white geologist and a black cashier become involved even though there’s a law against such relationships.
In part 2, a white farmer’s son has a relationship with the black daughter of a farm worker. Shortly after, she marries a black man who has loved her for a long time.
The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses | Bessie Head
In South Africa under apartheid, a group of political prisoners are used to having some leeway in prison. There’s news of a new warden, known for being strict and harsh.
I’ll keep adding African and South African short stories to this page as I find them.