These Heavy Black Bones by Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell

Loading player...
In this episode of Pagecast, Keanan Hemmonsbey interviews Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell about her prize-winning memoir, These Heavy Black Bones.

More about the book:
This is not a story about making history.

Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell was once a double British Champion and the first Black woman ever to swim for Great Britain. As her body and mind are sharpened through gruelling training, press scrutiny and the harshness of adolescence, Rebecca charts her career’s ascent and her singular love of the water, before explaining why she walked away from it all.

A compulsive and unforgettable study of intensity, These Heavy Black Bones meditates on Blackness, identity and the ecstasy of peak physical performance, and lays bare the pressures within the swimming world.

#TheseHeavyBlackBones #RebeccaAchiengAjuluBushell #Pagecast #BookPodcast #Swimming #Athlete #Book
18 Aug 2025 English South Africa Books · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

It's Complicated by Nivashni Nair Sukdhev (with Arini Vlotman)

This week on Pagecast, host Arini Vlotman sits down with acclaimed local author Nivashni Nair Sukdhev to discuss her new novel, It's Complicated. They talk about second chances, hidden secrets, and the healing power of true love. More about the book: Love. Secrets. Second chances. Nivashni Nair Sukdhev is back…
2 Mar 39 min

101 Remarkable South African Women by Lizette Rabe (with Nancy Richards)

Discover the untold stories of South African women who changed history. In this episode of Pagecast, Nancy Richards sits down with Professor Lizette Rabe to talk about her book, 101 Remarkable South African Women. From ancient trailblazers like the "Eve of the West Coast" to modern icons including Thuli Madonsela,…
23 Feb 28 min

The Distance Within by Nicola Brandt

This episode of Pagecast is brought to you in collaboration with the ARTdacity podcast, just in time for the Investec Art Fair later this month. This week, Jo-Ann Strauss interviews Nicola Brandt about her book, The Distance Within, which features photographs and video stills made over more than a decade…
9 Feb 27 min

The Condiment Book by Claire Dinhut

We have a bonus episode of Pagecast for you today featuring Claire Dinhut (Condiment Claire) and Karen Dudley. This is the perfect conversation ahead of the festive season as the two chat all about condiments, bold new flavours and secrets about how to elevate any dish. More about The Condiment…
15 Dec 2025 46 min