A snapshot of Afrolit Sans Frontières Season 5, the final season.

Afrolit Sans Frontières Season 5, the final season for 2020, had writers of African origin streaming in from cities around the world from July 27 – August 3, 2020.

Afrolit Sans Frontières, a virtual literary festival for writers of African origin, was founded by author and publisher Zukiswa Wanner as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic international lockdowns. The festival format is two sessions a day on Instagram Live with an artist moderated by a host who also fields questions from audience members. There have been four editions; Season 1 from March 23-30; Season 2 from April 20-27; Season 3 from May 25 – June 1; and Season 4 from June 29-July 6.

Season 5, curated by founder Zukiswa Wanner with the help of eduniperiferias, had 16 writers from 10 countries streaming in 3 languages from 10 cities on 4 continents. They were Margaret Busby, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Conceição Evaristo, L.L. McKinney, Sisonke Msimang, Gauz, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Makanaka Mavengere, Frances Mensah Williams, Joe Khamisi, Helon Habila, Kayo Chingonyi, Lerato Mogoatlhe, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Rodrigo França, and Ondjaki.

The moderators, apart from festival founder Zukiswa Wanner, were Renee Edwige Dro, Bisi Adjapon, Mariana Evaristo, Natasha Omokhodion-Kalulu Banda, Richard Ali Mutu, Troy Onyango, Kalaf Epalanga, Mohale Mashigo, Tolu Daniel, Osmar Paulino, and Remy Ngamije.

Over eight days, there were discussions both important and frivolous over a variety of topics with the festival theme “journeys” being a guide. Enthusiastic audience members who logged in from all over the world were treated to a range of opinions from as diverse as the writers.

Every season has had the festival question from “Poetry or Cocaine” to “Rosé or Prosecco.” The question for Season 5 came from Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo being asked by The Guardian how often she had sex to which she replied eight times when not horny. Festival guests were asked this question in relation to their sexual proclivities when they were writing their books with hilarious responses. Some claimed to be virgins (and that their kids were born by immaculate conception), some refused to put their business out there, others explained the need to take sex breaks meant their books took so long, while others claimed to have run through many batteries.

Those who were based in Kenya could get books from the guests at this festival, and other iterations, from Prestige Books in Nairobi wherever they were in the East African country.

To see who said what during this festival, click on the below links.

Lerato Mogoatlhe in Johannesburg, South Africa,

Joe Khamisi in Texas, USA,

Frances Mensah Williams in London, UK,

Conceição Evaristo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,

Kayo Chingonyi in Leeds, UK,

L.L. McKinney in Kansas City, USA,

Gauz in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire,

Fiston Mwanza Mujila in Graz, Austria,

Sisonke Msimang in Perth, Australia

Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ in Lagos, Nigeria.

Ondjaki in Luanda, Angola,

Rodrigo França in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,

Ashley Hickson-Lovence in London, UK,

Helon Habila in Centreville, VA, USA.

Makanaka Mavengere in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Margaret Busby in London, UK. Margaret Busby.