Cassava Republic’s Ankara Press imprint is thrilled to announce the acquisition of world rights (excluding Southern Africa) to The Thing With Zola and I Do…Don’t I?, a sparkling, witty duology by South African author Zibu Sithole.
The deal was brokered by Boluwatito Sanusi, Assistant Editor at Ankara Press, through Aoife Lennon-Ritchie of The Lennon-Ritchie Agency. The books are slated for publication in summer 2026.
The Thing With Zola is a humorous, sexy beach read that follows Zola, a 29-year-old woman returning to her hometown of Vosloorus, South Africa, after ten years in Europe. Forced to leave behind her life, love, and dreams in Germany, Zola finds herself navigating family expectations, unemployment, Johannesburg’s chaotic taxi system, and the entanglements of local politics. Amidst this chaos, a surprising office romance challenges everything she thought she knew about love and belonging.
The Sunday Times praised the novel as ‘“a captivating exploration of love found in unexpected places against the backdrop of contemporary South African social issues… a delightful journey through life’s twists and turns, where Zola unravels the threads of her existence.”
The sequel, I Do…Don’t I?, continues Zola’s story as she balances a long-distance romance with the charming Mbali, split between Kigali and Johannesburg. Alongside familiar characters like the vivacious Okuhle, audacious Thobile, and stoic Ongama, the narrative weaves a joyful yet tender exploration of friendship, commitment, and emotional growth. The Southern Mail hails it as ‘fast-paced, saucy, and highly diverting… a quick, fun, drama-filled, humorous read full of local flavour.’
Boluwatito Sanusi said:
“These books embody everything Ankara Press stands for: fresh, sharp and absolutely invested in the love, longing, and joy of Black women’s lives. Zola’s world is alive with chaos, longing and humour, and I can’t wait for readers across the globe to fall for her as hard as we did.”
Zibu Sithole said:
“I’m beyond excited to share Zola’s story with readers all over the world. My hope is that more Black women see themselves in this series and realise just how deserving they are of their dreams, their love, and their friendships. Writing these books helped me reach that same realisation. I’m incredibly grateful to Ankara Press—an imprint founded by a Black woman, just like me—for bringing our stories to the world.“
Aoife Lennon-Ritchie, Managing Director at The Lennon-Ritchie Agency, added:
“I’m so happy to have been able to help this delightful duology of novels find its UK home with Cassava Republic’s Ankara imprint. The books have already found a loyal and clamorous readership in South Africa thanks to Pan Macmillan South Africa. I can’t wait to see how readers in the rest of the English-speaking world take to Zola and her funny, messy, relatable search for love and belonging.”
Andrea Nattrass, Publisher at Pan Macmillan South Africa, said:
“Pan Macmillan South Africa is excited to work with The Lennon-Ritchie Agency and Ankara Press to bring the novels of Zibu Sithole to an international audience. Readers are in for a treat as they immerse themselves in Zola’s world.”
Ankara Press officially launches in Summer 2026 and is now open for submissions.
Writers can find out more and submit via their website. Agents and representatives looking to get in touch can reach out to Assistant Editor, Tito Sanusi at tito.sanusi@cassavarepublic.biz.
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
