The Johannesburg Festival of Women Writers for February 12.

The Johannesburg Festival of Women Writers will be hosted at the Johannesburg Business School on Sunday, February 12, 2023.

The Johannesburg Festival of Women Writers is an initiative hosted by the University of Johannesburg’s Johannesburg Institute of Advance Studies. It is aimed at showcasing and celebrating the work of women writers, fostering intergenerational conversations between writers, encouraging new writers, promoting a culture of reading by creating dynamic and interactive links between writers, readers, and publishers as well as promoting the sales of books.

The discussions on Sunday will focus on life writing (autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs), fiction writing, children’s literature, literature in Indigenous languages, academic writing, and poetry.

Special guests of honour will be Dr Sindiwe Magona, who will be celebrating her 80th birthday and University of Johannesburg Chancellor and Chairperson of the 2030 Reading Panel Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Other confirmed panellists are Athambile Masola, Barbara Masekela, Dr Brigalia Bam, Busisekile Khumalo, Dr Danyela Demir, Elinor Sisulu, Fiona Snyckers, Gail Schimel, Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Gomolemo Moagi, Jackie Phamotse, Jann Weeratunga, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Joyce Notemba Piliso-Seroke, Khumo Tapfumaneyi, Langelihle Radebe, Lebohang Masango, Lorato Trok, Lwando Xaso, Makhosazana Xaba, Mlilo Pulane Mpondo, Nedine Moonsamy, Nomvuyo Lerato Mzamane, Nthabi Sibanda, Pamela Power, Pumza Shabangu, Dr Samke J. Ngcobo, Dr Sarah Godsell, Sarah Key, Tumelo Moleleki, Dr Xolisa Guzula, and Yewande Omotoso.

Here is the full program;

10:00 am – 11:15 am

Trends in and vision for contemporary writing in South Africa

• Moderator: Dr Danyela Demir
• Panellists: Fiona Snyckers, Pamela Power, Pumza Shabangu, Yewande Omotoso.

Children’s Literature: The challenges of creating culturally and linguistically relevant children’s literature.

• Moderator: Nthabi Sibanda
• Panellists: Elinor Sisulu, Gomolemo Moagi, Jann Weeratunga, Khumo Tapfumaneyi, Lorato Trok, Tumelo Moleleki

11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Poetry: Song, spoken words, and heritage – What poetry adds to our literary landscape

• Moderator: Dr Gcina Mhlophe
• Panel: Athambile Masola, Langelihle Radebe, Makhosazana Xaba, and Dr Sarah Godsell.

Life Writing: Celebrating and Writing About Life: autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs

• Moderator: Elinor Sisulu
• Panel: Barbara Masekela, Dr Brigalia Bam, Joyce Notemba Piliso-Seroke, Mlilo Pulane Mpondo, Dr Samke J. Ngcobo

The ARC: From your head to my bookshelf

• Moderator: Jenny Crwys-Williams
• Panel:  Busisekile Khumalo, Gail Schimel, Jackie Phamotse, Sarah Key.

13:00 pm – 13:40 pm

Plenary session

• Program director: Dr Gcina Mhlophe
• Welcome address: Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
• Opening: Prof Tshilidzi Marwala (Outgoing University of Johannesburg Vice Chancellor)
• Keynote Speaker: Dr Sindiwe Magona

14:30 pm – 15:45 pm

The UN decade for Indigenous Languages 2022 – 2032: Can we leverage to create a truly multilingual South African literature?

• Moderator: Athambile Masola
• Panel: Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Gomolemo Moagi, Lorato Trok, Nomvuyo Lerato Mzamane, Dr Xolisa Guzula

Academic writing: The Politics of Citation and the importance of correct referencing

• Moderator: Dr Danyela Demir
• Panel: Lebohang Masango, Nedine Moonsamy, Dr Sarah Godsell

16:00 pm – 16:15 pm

Closing session

Closing remarks: Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Poetry: Langelihle Radebe
Vote of Thanks: Barbara Masekela