Ankara Press has acquired the world rights (excluding Southern Africa) to South African author’s romance duology, The Thing with Zola and I Do…Don’t I?. The novels are slated for release in Summer 2026.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
Cassava Republic’s newly rebranded imprint, Ankara Press, has acquired the world rights (excluding Southern Africa) to South African author, Zibu Sithole’s romance duology, The Thing with Zola and I Do…Don’t I? The novels are slated for release in Summer 2026. Already a local success in South Africa, where they are published by Pan Macmillan, the novels follow a young South African woman, Zola, as she navigates life and love as a young woman in Johannesburg.
The Thing with Zola introduces Zola as a 29-year-old who returns home to Vosloorus, South Africa, after a decade in Europe. Forced to leave behind her life, lover, and the dreams she had begun to build in Germany, Zola finds herself navigating the challenges of re-entering her family’s world, finding employment, mastering Johannesburg’s chaotic taxi system and local politics, and dealing with an unexpected romance.
The sequel, I Do…Don’t I?, picks up with Zola and her charismatic love interest, Mbali, as they maneuver through a long-distance relationship between Kigali and Johannesburg. New characters like Okuhle, Thobile, and Ongama, described as vivacious, audacious and stoic respectively, add vibrancy to Zola’s story, as the characters confront the question of whether love can truly conquer all.
“I’m beyond excited to share Zola’s story with readers all over the world,” says Sithole. “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.”
Boluwatito Sanusi, assistant editor at Ankara Press, describes the books as fresh, sharp, and absolutely invested in the love, longing, and joy of Black women’s lives. “These books embody everything Ankara Press stands for,” says Sanusi, who acquired the rights for the books from Aoife Lennon-Ritchie of The Lennon-Ritchie Agency. “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.”
The acquisition arrives as Ankara Press, a Black-centred, Black-led imprint focusing on stories that reflect the diversity and nuance of Black experiences, prepares to relaunch in 2026. The imprint is currently open for submissions via the Ankara Press website. Agents and representatives can also reach out by email.