The Open Book Festival ran from September 6th – 8th, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. It featured a mix of panels and readings across dozens of topics. Whether you wanted to learn about chosen family in literature, challenges of writing novels, or writing about mental health, there was something for everyone in this three day festival.
One of the featured authors was Damilare Kuku, author of Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow. Another pair of featured authors was Lesedi Molefi, Margie Ordord, and Hedley Twidle who spoke to Festival Director, Mervyn Sloman, about how they craft their work. Each authors work was featured in a panel, either reading excerpts or discussing their writing process and struggles.
This is just a short list of the authors and artists included in this festival. Across all three days there were numerous events that featured every step of the writing process and post-publication. It was a successful festival with great conversations about the world of African literature, and we look forward to next years festivities!
The Open Book Festival posted lots of pictures from the festival on their Instagram @openbookfest.
Here’s a carousel of pictures from conversations about a variety of topics;
- Siya Khumalo and Eloghosa Osunde talked about navigating homophobic spaces in literature
- Siphokazi Jonas, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu and Lebogang Seale offered insights on historical legacies in literature
- Charmaine Africa, Alistair Mackay and Thobeka Yose examined the impact of father figures in literature:
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Below is another photo carousel of conversations about contemporary issues in literature;
- Conversation about raising men with feminist values with Barbara Boswell, Pumla Dineo Gqola, Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa, and Floretta Boonzaier
- Andries du Toit, Lesedi Molefi and Nathan Trantraal, guided by Kopano Ratele talk about the complexities of trauma and how that connects with South African masculinities
- Nicky Greenwall, Alistair Mackay and Zibu Sithole, in dialogue with CA Davids, discuss the portrayal of privilege in their respective novels:
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Many conversations were had as the festival went on including;
- Festival director, Mervyn Sloman, spoke to Lesedi Molefi, Margie Orford and Hedley Twidle about their writing process
- Conversation about religious trauma with Siphokazi Jonas, Pontsho Pilane and Thobeka Yose guided by Maneo Mohale
- A Letter to Sobukwe with the band Kujenga, vocalist Birdie and authors Oyama Mabandla, Uhuru Phalafala and Lebogang Seale:
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More diverse topics were discussed;
- Oyama Mabandla, Alan Storey, and Joy Watson in conversation with Rebecca Davis about democratic institutions
- Nadine Dirks and Lesedi Molefi in a conversation moderated by Firdose Moonda on chronic conditions and visibility
- Discussion with Pumla Dineo Gqola, Damilare Kuku, Zukiswa Wanner, and Mohale Mashigo celebrating Unruly Women
- Music and conversation with vocalist/anthropologist Birdie and broadcaster Koketso Sachane about post-apartheid South Africa
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Panels of conversations with more literary enthusiasts included;
- Barbara Boswell, Pumla Dineo Gqola, and Gothataone Moeng in conversation with Mbali Sikakana about feminism and creativity
- Karen Jennings, Alistair Mackay, and Niq Mhlongo discuss urbanization in living with Athambile Masola
- Shubnum Khan, Nathan Trantraal, and Ivan Vladislavić in conversation with Nkgopoleng Moloi about capturing daily life in literature:
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Here are 3 more highlighted events;
- Haidar Eid, Uhuru Phalafala, and Lebogang Seale discuss the impacts of settler colonialism with Aphiwe Ngalo
- Michèle Betty and Shari Daya in conversation with Bibi Burger about how poetry can bring personal recovery
- Busisekile Khumalo, Hamza Koudri, and Zukiswa Wanner talk about sex and power in society:
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A photo carousel of the author singings, books, and merch that was available at the festival:
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Want to see more about the authors featured at the Open Book Festival? Look at some of our past articles about their work:
- Eloghosa Osunde, author of Vagabond!, has been featured on our website a few different times, read about Vagabond’s 2-year anniversary here
- Barbara Boswell’s essay “On an Attempt to Appropriate My Writing Without My Permission”
- More info about Damilare Kuku’s debut novel, Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow
- Read more about Zukiswa Wanner’s essay collection about settler colonialism in Palestine here
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