African Fiction - What's that?

Nestling with Rachel Zadok

What is it with the “African Fiction” section in SA bookshops? It’s such an arbitrary categorisation. There are no “Australian Fiction” or “Icelandic Fiction” sections. SA writers produce such diverse work that classifying it by their country of birth makes about as much sense as classifying books by the colours of their covers or the typefaces of their titles.

What’s it actually saying other than “Here are some books that may not be very good”? May as well stick biohazard icons all over the shelves and hang them with garlic.
 
The only good thing is that as my surname starts with “W”, my book is rubbing shoulders with Sister, Sister, a book I’m enjoying very much.