Jackie Phamotse

Jackie Phamotse is a writer, businesswoman, social activist and philanthropist. Her debut novel, BARE I: The Blesser’s Game, was published in 2017 and was awarded the African Icon Literary Award in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2018. Her second book, I Tweet What I Like, was inspired by the late struggle icon Steve Biko’s book, I Write What I Like. Jackie won the 2020 SA Book Award for Best Fiction for her novel BARE II: The Cradle of The Hockey Club. She was also nominated for a bestselling award by Nielsen Bookscan and SAPnet in 2023 for her book Bare IV: Mercy. Google listed Jackie as one of the most searched personalities in South Africa in 2020. She won an award for her social activism at the Women of Wonder Awards ceremony in 2020, the same year the Generational Wealth Foundation listed her as one of the most influential educators. She was longlisted for the Sunday Times Fiction award in 2025 for The Tea Merchant and nominated for the South African Book Award. On 25 April 2026, Rand West City Local Municipality awarded her a Certificate of Recognition for perseverance and outstanding contribution to the arts. Jackie’s main objective is to create awareness around and find long-term solutions to eradicate social ills. She currently lives in Sandton, South Africa.