This recognition appears in accounts from around 2017 (and is referenced in related coverage of the shop’s history and reputation). It is repeatedly described in travel guides, literary writing, and local reporting as a standout independent bookshop and a “book lover’s dream,” with strong emphasis on its unique atmosphere, curated stock, and cultural role.
History and significance
Joseph David “Ike” Mayet founded the shop in 1988 (originally on Chapel Street in Overport) during apartheid. He is noted as the first South African antiquarian bookseller of colour (or the first person of colour to open an Africana bookstore). The business later moved and was relaunched at its current Florida Road location in 2001, with an official opening by Nobel laureate J.M. Coetzee. Ike Mayet died the following year; the shop has continued under subsequent owners/managers (including Joanne/Jo Rushby, who has been closely associated with it for many years).
The store is known for:
- A strong focus on Africana (South African and broader African history, politics, literature, travel, etc.), alongside Marxist and radical literature, art/photography/architecture, fiction, classics, and more eclectic or specialised titles.
- An atmospheric, museum-like setting in an older colonnaded building, with organised open stacks, memorabilia, typewriters, author signatures and messages on the walls (including notes from figures such as Lewis Nkosi, Lauren Beukes, and others), and a balcony/outdoor reading area.
- Hosting events, book launches, and (in the past) literary activities; it has also run occasional markets.
It remains an independent specialist shop rather than a mainstream new-books retailer, and it continues to attract local readers, students, researchers, and visitors seeking rare, out-of-print, or specialised material. Contact details commonly listed include the email ikesbooks@iafrica.com and the website ikesbooks.com; typical hours have been roughly Monday–Friday 10:00–16:00/16:30 and Saturday mornings, closed Sundays (confirm current details directly).
Context of the “best bookstore” recognition
Coverage frames the award/title in the context of South African independent bookselling, highlighting the shop’s historical importance, community role, and distinctive character amid the challenges faced by independents. It is frequently included in lists or recommendations of notable South African indie bookshops alongside places such as The Book Lounge (Cape Town), Love Books and Bridge Books (Johannesburg), and others. Recent public mentions continue to treat it as a Durban literary landmark rather than highlighting a brand-new 2025/2026 national shortlist appearance in major English-language sources.
If you are referring to a specific recent nomination, local poll, social-media campaign, or different “Ike’s/Ikes” bookstore, additional details (year, organisation, or location) would help narrow it further. In the meantime, the Durban shop’s long-standing reputation as a highly regarded independent specialist—and its past recognition as SA’s best independent bookstore—remains the clearest match for the query.
