iLembe Book Festival

Time
AUDITORIUM
THE GALLERY (2ND FLOOR VENUE)
AUTHOR TENT
09h00 – 10h00
OPENING
10h00 – 10h45
MINING THE PAST FOR HIDDEN TREASURES

Authors Zikhona Valela (Now You Know How Mapetla Died), Joanne Joseph (Children of the Sugarcane), Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang (Daughters of Nandi), Aman Singh Maharaj (A Dalliance with Destiny) share their methods of researching and documenting history with Sibongile Machika.
UBUCIKO NOKULONDOLOZWA KOLIMI

Ababhali nabathandi bolumi lwesintu oNtokozo Ndlovu (Izethuso Neziluleko Zabazali Bami), Mandla KanoZulu, Malindi Dlamini (iSphalaphala), Simangaliso Ntshangase (Ngithweseni Nginje) kanye no Ndabenhle William Zulu (Emzileni KaShaka) badingida ukubaluleka kokulondolozwa kolimi namasiko.
Outlwile Tsipane in conversation with acclaimed local author Nelly Page Magwaza (Dear Khethelo, The Beloved MaShenge, Sabatha The Begetter)
10h45 – 11h00
11h00 – 11h45
COMING TO SELF

What does it mean to be and to write queer in South Africa in 2024? The Cheeky Natives talk to Mandla Lishivha (Boy On The Run), Siya Khumalo (You Have To Be Gay To Know God), Sthandiwe Langa (Unlabelled)
DREAM BIG, BLACK CHILD

A TV and film producer. A communications specialist. A photographer. A historian. Tiny Mungwe, Rofhiwa Maneta (A Man, A Fire, A Corpse), Zikhona Valela (Now You Know How Mapetla Died) and Zanele ‘Manyambose’ Mthethwa (Isipho Sikathunjana) as they discuss their career journeys.
Sibongile Machika in conversation with the award-winning author Nathi Olifant (Blood, Blades and Bullets – Anatomy of a Glebelands Hitman, The Fugitives, Assassins Endgame - soon to be published)
11h45 – 12h00
12h00 – 12h45
A SEAT AT THE TABLE

Occupying spaces and breaking stereotypes. Lorraine Sithole talks to Thenjiwe Mswane (All Gomorrah’s Are The Same), Sihle Khumalo (Milk The Beloved Country), Lucas Ledwaba (A Desire To Return To The Ruins).
SO YOU WANT TO PUBLISH A BOOK?

Siphiwo Mahala will be in conversation with Pumza Shabangu (The Unspoken Truth), Sibongile Machika (Jonathan Ball Publishers), Kirsten Miller (All That Is Left, The Hum of the Sun) Motubatse Kgatle (National Library of South Africa) to unpack the ins and outs of publishing and share tips on getting your manuscript ready for publishing.
Outlwile Tsipane in conversation with prolific author and co-ordinator of the iLembe Book Festival Ayanda Xaba (Ulala: The Journey of Discovery, The Maiden & The Bear, Through Her Eyes, SCARRED, DAMNED)
12h45 – 13h30
LUNCH
13h30 – 14h15
MEMOIR: THE ART OF REVEALING THE PERSONAL

Dr Siphiwo Mahala discusses the art of writing memoirs and asks the question: at what point does one’s life story become one for the books? With authors Rofhiwa Maneta (A Man, A Fire, A Corpse), Mandla Lishivha (Boy On The Run), Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang (Dolly Rathebe, Queen of African Jazz, Blues & Mbaqanga).
TORTURED SOULS

The Cheeky Natives in conversation with Thenjiwe Mswane (All Gomorrah’s Are The Same), Nelly Page (Dear Khethelo), Kirsten Miller (The Hum of the Sun), Aman Singh Maharaj (A Dalliance with Destiny) on writing ‘troubled’ characters.
LET THE POETS SLAM

12 Local Poets Battle It Out For The Top Spot
14h15 – 14h30
14h30 – 14h45
PAGE TO SCREEN

The South African tv and film industry is finally catching up to the adaptation trend. Tiny Mungwe explores the inner workings of these mediums and the general state of the industry with Angela Makholwa (Red Ink, The 30th Candle), Mandla KanoZulu (uMkhokha Creator)
WHAT IS LOVE?

Lorraine Sithole
discusses the concept of modern love in modern times with Sthandiwe Langa (Unlabelled), Pumza Shabangu (Strumlet), Malindi Dlamini (iSphalaphala).
15h15 – 15h30
15h30 – 16h15
MZANSI AT 30: THE STATE OF THE NATION

A rollercoaster ride spanning three decades. Joanne Joseph (Children of the Sugarcane), Sihle Khumalo (Milk The Beloved Country), Lucas Ledwaba (A Desire To Return To The Ruins) reflect on the major turning points of our democracy and future of South Africa beyond the 2024 elections with Zukiswa Wanner (London, Cape Town, Joburg).
MURDER ROOM: THE ART OF FICTION

The Cheeky Natives in conversation with Angela Makholwa (The Reed Dance Stalker), Ayanda Xaba (DAMNED), Nathi Olifant (The Fugitives) on the popularity of crime fiction and the books that got them hooked into the genre.
16h15 – 16h30
16h30 – 17h00
VOTE OF THANKS
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