It’s all happening in Nairobi and Johannesburg as writers converge on their big towns for African literary deliciousness.
Last night Niq Mhlongo unleashed his latest literary gem a short story collection called Affluenza to the world with a launch at Sakhumzi’s Restaurant on Vilakazi Street. We are hearing good things. If you know anyone who would be willing to share about the gig please contact us so everyone can get the word.
Tonight, all roads lead to two venues. In Johannesburg, Victor Ehikhamenor will be doing an art performance called “Mapping the Landscape” at Gallery Momo on 52 7th Ave, Parktown North. Ehikhamenor is an acclaimed artist and photographer; he is also a writer with his hilarious book Excuse Me: One Nigerian’s Funny Outsized Reality (20120) and poet with Sordid Rituals (2002). He will be in conversation with another funny fellow called Ndumiso Ngcobo who has three titles to his name; Some of My Best Friends are White, Is It Coz I’m Black and East Drink and Blame the Ancestors (our review).
In Nairobi, the Goethe Institut in Maendeleo House will see a return of the And Then She Said: 5 Reimagined stories event that was featured at the World Storytelling Day 2016. Again you will be able to see prominent African women’s novels being performed by some of the most highly respected female performers in Kenya’s capital. Just like in the previous performance, you will see Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter re-imagined by Sitawa Namwalie, Zukiswa Wanner’s Maid In SA by Patricia Kihoro, Nadifa Mohamed’s The Orchid Of Lost Souls by Raya Wambui, Marjorie Oludhe-Macgoye’s Coming to Birth by Mumbi Kaigwa and Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Maimouna Jallow. There more for those of you who went to the previous performance as Aleya Kassim will be doing a performance of Doreen Baingana’s Tropical Fish.
So Nairobi and Joburg people, after work you have a plan today. Have at it.
