Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

It’s definitely one for the books at the SA fair

Human Settlements Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo had red-flagged an investment made by one of her department’s entities in a scandal-hit bank that is now under curatorship.
Human Settlements Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo had red-flagged an investment made by one of her department’s entities in a scandal-hit bank that is now under curatorship.

The South African Book Fair takes place at the Turbine Hall in Newtown, Johannesburg, from July?31 to August 2, alongside the sixth M&G Literary Festival that runs at the same venue on August 1 and 2.

More than 100 authors, writers, poets, publishers and playwrights will share their experience, talents and knowledge at the fair. 

Fair highlights include:

  • Lauren Beukes reads her Wonder Woman comic with art by Mike Maihack.
  • Twenty-one born-frees discuss what 21 years of democracy means, chaired by Melanie Verwoerd and Sonwabiso Ngcowa.
  • Black and White in Colour – Why Race (Still) Matters: Anthea Garman, Lewis Gordon, Xolela Mangcu, Hlonipha Mokoena and Melanie Verwoerd, chaired by Shireen Hassim. (This is an M&G Literary Festival session.)
  • Publishing in Africa is a discussion that looks at the challenges and opportunities of trading books in the Global South.
  • It’s Reading, But Not As You Know It: Mike Maphoto, the man behind Diary of a Zulu Girl, Rebecca Davis and Nancy Brown from World Reader explore fun and different ways of getting South Africans reading with Karabo Kgoleng-Dada.
  • The Books You Read Say a Lot About Who You Are: novelists Niq Mhlongo, Finuala Dowling and Rehana Rossouw discover South Africa’s “bookself”. Chaired by Karabo Kgoleng-Dada.
  • Shorts: Siphiwo Mahala talks to Ivan Vladislavic, Achmat Dangor and Masande Ntshanga about the art of the short story.
  • Books, Boys and Beers: Gareth Crocker, Khaya Dlanga and Pete Goffe-Wood share their bromance with Ndumiso Ngcobo over craft beers as they discuss the meaning of life and friendship. Snacks included.
  • Publishing in Indigenous Languages: Elinor Sisulu features in a discussion on children’s literature publishing in indigenous languages and how to achieve this quantum leap. Facilitated by the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation.
  • Scriptwriting masterclass with screenwriting legends Fred Strydom and Harry Kalmer.
  • Poetry masterclass with Finuala Dowling and Beverly Rycroft, where you’ll find there’s more to poetry than finding a word to rhyme with orange.


To find out more, visit southafricanbookfair.com 
Twitter: @SAbookfair
Instagram: @SAbookfair
Facebook.com/southafricanbookfair