The Abantu Book Festival is an annual literary event held in Soweto. The festival’s aim is to promote black authors and readers, providing them with a space for discussions, story-telling and text readings. The festival will take place on 06 – 10 December this year.
We are proud that a number of KZN Literary Tourism authors will be making an appearance.
PHOTO: From left to right, Gcina Mhlope, Sihle Khumalo and Fred Khumalo
Fred Khumalo will be hosting a discussion entitled “Some of my Best Friends”. He will also be a part of a discussion entitled “Ghetto is Our First Love” together with Niq Mhlongo and Thandiswa Mazwai. Fred Khumalo is the author of Bitches Brew. This year his short story, “Water No Get Enemy”, received a special mention at the Short Story Day Africa competition.
Gcina Mhlophe will be giving the Keynote Address at the Soweto Theatre. She will also be part of a discussed entitled “Zanendaba” with Bontle Senne and Xolisa Guzula. Mhlophe is a noted activist, actress, poet, author and director.
Sihle Khumalo is a KwaZulu-Natal-born author who specialises in travel literature. His novels have been long-listed for the Alan Paton Award and his third won the 2014 South African Literary Award (SALA) in the creative non-fiction category. Sihle Khumalo will be part of the “Some of My Best Friends” taking place at the Eyethu Lifestyle Centre.
Full KZN Literary Tourism author schedule:
Date: Thursday, 8th December
Time: 18:00
Host: Lebo Mashile
Opening & Welcoming
Poetry Performance: Koleka Putuma
Keynote Address: Gcina Mhlophe
Closing Remarks
Venue: Soweto Theatre (R20)
Date: Friday, 9th December
Time: 09:30-10:45
Host: Zukiswa Wanner
Topic: Zanendaba
Featuring: Bontle Senne, Gcina Mhlope & Xolisa Guzula
Venue: Eyethu Lifestyle Centre
Date: Friday, 9th December
Time: 13:00-14:15
Host: Fred Khumalo
Topic: Some of My Best Friends
Featuring: Angela Makholwa, Ndumiso Ngcobo, Sihle Khumalo, Siphiwo Mahala & Zukiswa Wanner Venue: Eyethu Lifestyle Centre
Date: Friday, 9th December
Time: 14:30-15:45
Host: NoViolet Bulawayo
Topic: Ghetto is Our First Love
Featuring: Fred Khumalo; Niq Mhlongo; Thandiswa Mazwai
Venue: Eyethu Lifestyle Centre
