The Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has announced its programme featuring a line-up of more than100 writers for the eight-day Time of the Writer festival.
Ismail Mahomed, the director of the Centre for Creative Arts said the theme for this year’s 27th edition of the festival, taking place from Thursday March 14 to the following Thursday, March 21, is Reflections, Resonance and Revival. He added that it explores how writers and literature continue to share and strengthen the values of South Africa as a constitutional democracy.
“The 30th anniversary this year of South Africa as a constitutional democracy provides the background for reflecting and engaging with how our writers and literature continue to strengthen the founding values of our democracy and advance us as a nation to take our position on the global stage”, says Mr Mahomed.
Author Zakes Mda, famous for his contributions to world literature, will headline the festival at which attendees can expect a diverse range of events, including book launches, panel discussions, workshops and readings by some of the prominent names in the literary industry. The programme will not only take place online, but also at the Alliance Française in Morningside, Durban for a live audience.
Among the authors at this year’s festival are Justice Malala, Siphiwo Mahala, Sandile Mamela, Angela Makholwa, Shafinaaz Hassim, Barbara Boswell, Qaanita Hunter, Nokuthula Mazibuko-Msimang, Sabata Mpho Mokai, Shamil Ismail, Megan Choritz, Shubnum Khan, Steven Friedman and Jonny Steinberg.
Partnering with the Centre for Creative Arts is the Wits Writing Centre, the Centre for the Study of the US at Wits University and the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Johannesburg. Outreach programmes will be facilitated at the Denis Hurley Centre, Luthuli, Museum, K Cap and the Vushwini Arts Centre.
Mr Mahomed said as a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, the festival would also put the spotlight on writing in the isiZulu language and feature a special programme about writing for children.
The isiZulu series will feature the diverse voices of Gugu Mazibuko, Lungi Mtetwa, Dr Sbonisile Zibane and Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa, among others. The “writing for children” feature will include Gregory Maqoma, Griffen Sheer and Charmaine Monareng.
”An exciting feature of this year’s programme is an Emerging Arts Manager internship exchange programme, which has two interns from the Centre for Creative Arts spending a three-week cultural immersion programme at the Bergen International Literature Festival in Norway. The Centre for Creative Arts will host two interns from Norway in residency in Durban during the Time of the Writer festival,” said Mr Mahomed.
Tsosheletso Chidi will be heading the 2024 Time of the Writer programme. Ms Chidi, a post-graduate student, who was appointed on an eight month residency as a mentee curator.
“We are proud of the programme curated by Tsosheletso. She has brought together a diverse array of literary and cultural voices that will offer us rich insights, critical engagements and lots of food for thought. We take pride in creating opportunities for aspirant curators to work under our mentorship. We are committed towards developing a new generation of curators who can both shape and lead the literary conversations in South Africa”, said Mr Mahomed.
The festival is supported by the National Arts Council, KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the UKZN.
