Ababhali nabathandi bolumi lwesintu oNtokozo Ndlovu, Muntomuhle Mcambi(Ezosiba Volume 3: Iqoqo lezindatshana by Ethekwini writers), Sindiswa Zulu(Ngizibuka Kuwe), BK Ngwenya (ACOR Writers Club and A Chorus of Rustics Publishers) no Sifiso Mzobe(Izinkabi: Yasho Inganono, Laphalala Igazi, translation) badingida ukubaluleka kokulondolozwa kolimi namasiko.

Every family has its secrets – the tender memories, the silences, the stories whispered behind closed doors. Anelile Dlamini-Gibixego(iGoli Dreams) is joined by Lebo Mazibuko(Fabrics of Love), Andile Cele(Braids & Migraines),Sven Axelrad (The Nicotine Gospel), and Moshitadi Lehlomela(Healing The Mother Wound) as they uncover those hidden layers and turn them into powerful, unforgettable stories.

Ever wondered how your favourite book or story makes the leap onto the big screen or stage? From tough choices about what to keep (or cut!) to bold creative twists that make a tale feel brand new, adaptation is both a challenge and an adventure. In this dynamic session, filmmaker, Zanele Nhlapho, writers Fred Khumalo (Dancing the Dance Drill), Nozizwe Cynthia Jele (Happiness Is A Four Letter Word) and Dudu Busani (The Hlomu Series), and screenwriter and producer, Sihle Mthembu share how they turn words on the page into unforgettable moments on screen and why reimagining stories is its own kind of magic.

Perfect heroes are predictable, it’s their flaws, contradictions, and struggles that make characters truly memorable. Karabo Kgoleng is in conversation with Shubnum Khan (The Lost Love of Akbar Manzi), Zibu Sithole (Love, Zola), Karen Jennings (Crooked Seeds), and Andile Cele (Braids & Migraines) as they reveal the art of crafting complex, imperfect protagonists who linger in the minds of readers long after the final page.

Every life tells a story – of struggle, resilience, and transformation. Sifiso Mzobe (Searching For Simphiwe) is joined by Ishmael Beah (A Long Way Gone, Little Family), Jeffrey Rakabe (Led By Shepherds), and Muzi Sikhakhane SC (Odyssey of Liberation: A Memoir of a Rebel Advocate) as they share the power of memoir to illuminate personal journeys, confront history, and echo experiences that shape us all.

Bold, unapologetic, unforgettable, these women write the stories they want the world to read. Join Zibu Sithole(Love, Zola),Takalani M (Aftermath: The Royal Mistress),Nivashni Nair Sukdhev(Pillow Talk) as they share with Anelile Dlamini-Gibixego how they put women at the heart of their storytelling and reclaim the power to write without limits.

As technology reshapes storytelling, what becomes of creativity and the readers who bring stories to life? Mphuthumi Ntabeni (The Wanderers) is joined by other creatives, Shubnum Khan(The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil),S’fundo Sosibo(Staging Black, Queer South Africa), Nivashni Nair Sukdhev(Pillow Talk) and Busisekile Khumalo(His Baby Maker) as they explore the evolving landscape of writing, the role of AI, and the future of how we read and imagine stories.

Bold, unflinching, and unstoppable – rewriting what it means to be men today. Kababo Kgoleng is joined by Sven Axelrad (The Nicotine Gospel), Sihle Qwabe (The Resurrection), and Jeffery Rakabe (Led By Shepherds) as they confront patriarchy, challenge masculinity, and use storytelling to shake nations. 

Crime stories reveal more than just mysteries, they reflect who we are, what we fear, and the world we live in. Sifiso Mzobe(Searching for Simphiwe),Sihle Qwabe(The Resurrection),Mpho Boshego(Diplomatic Ties),Sihle Mthembu (Film & TV Screenwriter and Producer), and Irene Fynn(Hime Street: My Violent Haven) explore the dark, gripping, and sometimes unsettling power of crime storytelling to hold a mirror to ourselves.

Leading authors and publishers reveal the inside story of modern publishing. From taking a manuscript to market, to harnessing digital platforms and reaching readers, this panel is packed with expert insights, practical advice, and inspiration for writers at every stage of their journey. With Ayanda Xaba (Scarred),Takalani M (Aftermath: The Royal Mistress), Bobo Lukhele(Lunga na Mlingo),S’fundo Sosibo (Staging Black, Queer South Africa) and BK Ngwenya (ACOR Writers Club and A Chorus of Rustics Publishers) and Muntomuhle Mcambi(Iziko Art Company).

Too often, Africa’s story is told through headlines of crisis and struggle. Mphuthumi Ntabeni (The Wanderers) is in conversation with Ishamel Beah (Sierra Leone) (A Long Way Gone, Little Family),Muzi Sikhakhane SC (Odyssey of Liberation: A Memoir of a Rebel Advocate), Fred Khumalo(Dancing The Death Drill), and Karen Jennings(Crooked Seeds) as they dig deeper, examining the roots of the continent’s challenges while spotlighting the innovation, resilience, and possibility driving its future. It goes beyond the clichés to explore what truly ails Africa and the opportunities shaping its tomorrow.

From the stories we’re born into to the ones we choose to rewrite, this powerful conversation explores the legacy of womanhood across generations. Mpho Boshego (Diplomatic Ties),Moshitadi Lehlomela (Healing the Mother Wound),Busisekile Khumalo(His Baby Maker), and Lebo Mazibuko(Fabrics of Life) talk to Karabo Kgoleng as they reflect on the lessons, burdens, and blessings passed down by the women before them and how each has transformed those inheritances into art, strength, and self-definition.

Who will wear the crown? Local poets take the stage to claim the title of 2025 iLembe Book Festival Poetry Champion!