Open Book festival is almost here!

The Open Book Festival celebrates it's 11th year, and keeps getting better. 

With a new venue and an exciting line-up, Open Book Festival promises to be the perfect festival to attend post-pandemic. 

Dubbed as Cape Town's biggest literary festival, Open Book is back after a two-year pandemic-induced-hiatus and promises to be the book reunion readers desperately need and have missed in the two years it has been away. 

With the new home of the festival being the HCC Homecoming centre, which is a 2-minute walk from the District Six Museum, the 3-day book festival has a line-up of an array of South African authors for any reader to attend - there is something for everyone.

Have a look at the below list of Pan Macmillan authors who will be in attendance and their sessions!

Friday, 2nd September

Writing of Loved Ones

Haji Mohamed Dawjee, Sara-Jayne Makwala King and Rofhiwa Maneta speak to Africa Melane sharing private moments with the public.

Time: 10:00am - 11:00am 

Venue: Avalon Theatre 

Ticket link


Understanding the Moment

Kyle Cowan, Karyn Maughan and Songezo Zibi reflect on the damage done to our institutions in the company of Erin Bates

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Venue: Star Theatre 

Ticket link


Enabling the Future

Pumla Dineo Gqola, Lucas Ledwaba, Malcolm Ray and Songezo Zibi speak to Carol Paton about potential solutions to some of our biggest challenges.Pumla Dineo Gqola, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni and Yewande Omotoso speak to Mohale Mashigo about feminist connections

Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm 

Venue: Star Theatre 

 

Ticket link


Conversation with Mohale 

Pumla Dineo Gqola, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni and Yewande Omotoso speak to Mohale Mashigo about feminist connections.

Time: 7:30pm - 8:30pm 

Venue: Star Theatre 

Ticket link


Saturday, 3rd September

Legal Activism

Sean Davison (assisted suicide), Joy Watson (GBV) and Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon (urban housing) speak to Bronwyn Pithey about using the courts as tools for transforming our society.

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Venue: Star Theatre

Ticket link


Natural Entanglements 

Khalied Jacobs, Bulelwa Mabasa and Chase Rhys speak to Leonie Joubert about the connections and disconnections between humans, land and sea.

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Venue: Avalon Theatre

Ticket link


Collective Anxiety 

Haji Mohamed Dawjee, Nicky Falkof and Melinda Ferguson speak to Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela about the impact of fear on their own and their characters lives.

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Venue: HCC Workshop

Ticket link


The Outsiders 

Terry-Ann Adams, Onke Mazibuko and Lethokuhle Msimang speak to Mohale Mashigo about disconnected characters.

Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm 

Venue: Avalon Theatre

Ticket link


Memoir and The Missing Past

Gertrude Fester, Herman Lategan and Bulelwa Mabasa speak to Max du Preez about journeying back to document gaps in search of healing.

Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm 

Venue: Avalon Theatre

Ticket link


Sunday, 4th September

Disconnection, Displacement & Loss

Lucas Ledwaba, Bulelwa Mabasa and Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon centre people in this conversation exploring the impact of landlessness and forced removals. Chaired by Ruth Hall.

Time: 10:00am - 11:00pm 

Venue: HCC Workshop

Ticket link


Value and Visibility 

Dianne Du Toit Albertze, Chase Rhys and Lester Walbrugh discuss the politics of being seen with Haji Mohamed Dawjee.

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Venue: Star Theatre

Ticket link


To have a look at the full programme, head over to the Open Book Festival Website