What does it mean to be the “Hero of the people” in a valley terrorised by a great snake? The lost son of the chief must find his way back home and reclaim his birthright. Told through a cast of puppets, exquisitely designed by The Masiphumelele Community Theatre group and produced by The Handspring Puppet Company, this production of a traditional Xhosa tale captivates and engages. The production was the winner of an Ovation Award at the 2015 National Arts Festival.

Knysna Primary School
12h00 – 14h00
Free Entry

Join Finuala for an interactive poetry workshop. Finuala is well know for What Poets Need and is an award-winning poet and novelist. The winners of this year’s creative writing competition will be announced and prizes presented to all the category winners.

Join Pete (food alchemist, wine quaffer, beer maker, cook, seafood sustainability freak, occasional writer and MasterChef SA judge) for a fun night out.

The safety, legal, disciplinary and reputational risks of social media: how to protect your children in this digital age.

Ferial Haffajee What If There Were No Whites In South Africa chats to RW Johnson How Long Will South Africa Survive, Mathews Phosa Chant of Freedom and Songezo Zibi Raising the Bar about the current political climate.

Join Finuala for an interactive poetry workshop. Finuala is well know for What Poets Need and is an award-winning poet and novelist.

As the world’s leading Xhosa speaking Jewish comic, Nik Rabinowitz is not only very funny, he also has a list of achievements the likes of which many can only aspire to. Nik comes to the Knysna Literary Festival to share his thoughts on the smorgasbord of dichotomy and paradoxical magnificence that is South Africa.

Shaka Sisulu Becoming chats to Hugh Masekela the giant of jazz – his wild and moving tale transcends the world of music. Unfolding against one of the most inspiring political transformations of the twentieth century, this is the engrossing chronicle of a remarkable, one-of-a-kind musical life.

Criminalising Investigative Journalism – SOLD OUT

The Turbine Hotel and Spa
11h00 – 12h00
R100 pp (Booking Reference H)

Ivo Vegter Extreme Environment chats to Mzilikazi wa Afrika Nothing Left to Steal, Songezo Zibi Raising the Bar and Ferial Haffejee What If There Were No Whites In South Africa about international spy agencies, a rising political correctness, and overbroad national laws on information security and cybercrime. Press freedom faces significant threats, both deliberate and unintended. We unpack the issues, how they affect us all, and what we can do about them.

The extremely popular Delicious Word Journey returns and gives you an opportunity to experience three exclusive properties on Pezula Private Estate. Enjoy great food, accompanied by some of South Africa’s top wines, whilst chatting to well-known authors.

By mid-1910, the race to be first to the South Pole had intensified after Shackleton’s ‘furthest South’ in 1909. Robert Scott (Royal Navy) believed he would be first, but found himself facing supreme polar explorer, Roald Amundsen from Norway. In this presentation, Amundsen’s preparation, previous experience and planning are discussed, along with his expert use of dogs. Amundsen reached the South Pole on 14 December 1911 – Scott followed 34 days later on 17 January 1912. In a fantastic duel, Roald Amundsen, took the prize. The story contrasts Amundsen and Scott, ending starkly with the death of Scott’s entire polar party.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WEBTICKETS.CO.ZA 

Please send all the relevant information as stated above to info@knysnaliteraryfestival.co.za