Jackie Phamotse

Katleho Jaqueline "Jackie" Phamotse, born in 1989, is a South African author, businesswoman, and social activist. She began her literary career in 2014 with the novel "Shattered Innocence," which tackled the subject of sugar dating. This theme was further explored in her subsequent best-selling "BARE" series. The first book in this series, "BARE: The Blesser's Game" (2017), an autobiographical novel, also focused on sugar dating and earned her the 2018 African Icon Literary Award. The series continued with "BARE II: The Cradle of The Hockey Club" (2018), which explored the dynamics of blessers and blessees and received the SA Book Award for Best Adult Fiction in 2020. "BARE III: Ego" delved into human trafficking and organ sales, while "BARE IV: Mercy" examined the underworld and political involvement in human trafficking, leading to a nomination at the 2023 SA Book Awards.

In 2019, Phamotse released "I Tweet what I like: So...sue Me!" following legal action initiated by Romeo and Basetsana Kumalo over a 2018 Twitter post. This case resulted in her being found guilty of defamation and other charges in 2024, leading to house arrest and community service. After self-publishing her earlier works, Phamotse signed with Penguin Random House in 2024, releasing "The Tea Merchant" and subsequently "The Advocate" in 2025. Phamotse holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of South Africa and has been featured in the Showmax documentary "Slay Queens."

Jackie Phamotse's literary output is largely characterized by its engagement with contemporary social issues, particularly sugar dating, human trafficking, and the involvement of politicians in illicit activities. Her debut novel, "Shattered Innocence" (2014), immediately established her interest in the complexities of transactional relationships. This theme was significantly amplified in her "BARE" series, which became a cornerstone of her career. "BARE: The Blesser's Game" (2017) not only continued the exploration of sugar dating but also offered an autobiographical perspective, earning critical acclaim. The subsequent installments, "BARE II: The Cradle of The Hockey Club" (2018) and "BARE III: Ego," broadened the scope to include the dynamics of those involved in these relationships and the darker aspects of human trafficking and organ sales, respectively. The series' final book mentioned, "BARE IV: Mercy," further investigated the underworld connections and political corruption linked to human trafficking, demonstrating Phamotse's commitment to shedding light on sensitive societal problems through her fiction.

Beyond her literary achievements, Jackie Phamotse's career has also been marked by significant legal challenges and a notable evolution in her publishing journey. Her 2019 book, "I Tweet what I like: So... sue Me!," was a direct response to a defamation lawsuit filed against her by Romeo and Basetsana Kumalo, stemming from a controversial Twitter post. The legal proceedings culminated in 2024 with Phamotse being found guilty on multiple charges, including defamation and violating a protection order, resulting in a sentence of house arrest and community service. This period of legal scrutiny coincided with a shift in her publishing approach. Having previously self-published her works, Phamotse transitioned to a major publishing house, signing with Penguin Random House in 2024. Her first release under this new arrangement was "The Tea Merchant," followed by "The Advocate" in 2025, indicating a new chapter in her professional life.