CHALLENGING political themes are currently prevalent on our national media platforms and respected writers will engage in conversations about tough political topics at this year’s Franschhoek Literary Festival, from 14 to 16 May.
On 15 May at 10:00, Ndumiso Ngcobo (Is it ‘Cos I’m Black?), Jeremy Boraine (Publisher at Jonathan Ball), John Carlin (Playing the Enemy) and Tim Noakes (The Lore of Running) put the boot into 2010, to answer the question, Is Sport the New Politics?, in a session refereed by Chris Thurman (Sport Versus Art). On 15 May at 11:30, poet and journalist Antjie Krog will be in conversation with Duncan Brown, Dean of the Arts Faculty at UWC, about her new book Begging to be Black, in which she explores complex interwoven personal, political and social themes. She will also delve into non-fiction as a dominant genre in South Africa.
In Who’s Afraid of the ANC? on 15 May at 14:30, Kader Asmal, cartoonist Zapiro and Allan Boesak (Running with Horses) exchange views with agent provocateur Rhoda Kadalie on what’s really going on behind the scenes of the ruling party.
On 16 May at 10:00 the issue of refugees and the worldwide growing problem of xenophobia will be under discussion in “Amakwerekwere”. Aher Arop Bol (The Lost Boy), who has been on the move most of his short life, Andrew Brown (Refuge) who writes about Nigerian immigrants and Time journalist Alex Perry (Falling Off the Edge), will be in conversation with American author Philip Gourevitch, who has written extensively about Rwanda.
Bookings for these and more sessions at the FLF are available from www.webtickets.co. za. Unless otherwise indicated, ticket prices are R60 per session (R20 for students). Visit www.flf.co.za or send an email to info@flf.co.za.
