2019
The Legacy of the 2019 Knysna Literary Festival
The organisers of the 10th Knysna Literary Festival announced last week that during the Festival support was pledged for 3 school scholarships for previously disadvantaged learners, and for their Creative Writing workshops for the youth, taking place later this year. (Read More)
On a Playdate with Chefs
As part of the Knysna Literary Festival île de pain hosted a “Chef’s Playdate” when the team was joined by celebrated South African Chef, David Higgs, for the unofficial opening function of the 10th Knysna Literary Festival. (Read More)
10th Knysna Literary Festival A Resounding Success
A powerful Knysna Literary Festival entertained book lovers and critical thinkers alike this past weekend. More than 12 authors and speakers descended on Knysna from Thursday onwards and some of the topics under the spotlight included current affairs, poaching, great food and wine and Springbok rugby. (Read More)
It’s ready, set and go for the 10th Knysna Literary Festival
There’s excitement in the air this week as Festival organisers are busy with the final preparations for the 10th Knysna Literary Festival that kicks off tomorrow! 12 authors from all over South Africa start to arrive from today for their slot on the Festival programme. The Festival has grown to be one of the top five noteworthy Garden Route Arts Festivals to attend, and the only festival that hosts exclusive groups of hand selected authors. (Read More)
Selfies, sexts and smartphones under the spotlight
‘Flirting, boasting, gossiping, teasing, hanging out, confessing: all that classic teen stuff has always happened … It’s just that it used to happen behind the bike sheds, or via tightly folded notes pressed urgently into sweating hands in the corridor between lessons. Social networking sites and mobile phones have simply facilitated the whole business, a gadzillion times over.’ (Read More)
Award winning South African editor Vanessa Raphaely to attend Knysna Literary Festival
Known to many as the former, award-winning editor of Cosmopolitan South Africa, Vanessa Raphaely has had a long career in women’s media, including many years in London. She is now Associated Media Publishing’s content editor and is visiting the Knysna Literary Festival later this month to talk about her thrilling debut novel, Plus One. (Read More)
Ticket sales for the 10th Knysna Literary Festival selling fast
Taking place from 8-10 March this year, ticket sales opened on the first of February and within three hours two of the events were sold out. Festival founder and sponsor, Ling Dobson from Pam Golding Properties Knysna & Plett, said Chef’s Playdate #2.0 at île de päin and the panel discussion “On the Brink” are sold out, and flagship event, the Delicious Word Journey, only had three tickets left at the time… (Read More)
Ticket sales open for 10 year old Knysna Literary Festival
The 10TH Knysna Literary Festival boasts an exciting programme that not only includes some old favourites, but is also spiced up with great new additions. Taking place from 8-10 March 2019, ticket sales open on the 1st of February at 8am at the Knysna Pam Golding Properties offices in Gray Street. As demand for ticket sales grew over the last few years the first day is synonymous with long queues… (Read More)
2018
A legacy of readers…
That, according to Ling Dobson, Festival founder and CEO of event sponsor Pam Golding Knysna & Plett, is the main aim of the Festival Youth programme. “The festival was initiated by a strong desire to engage with the younger community, to allow their ‘Imagination to take flight’ through writing of short stories, poems and essays.” (Read More)
“Bright brains” discuss South Africa’s economy
The Knysna Literary Liaison panel discussion and dinner at Ile De Pain on the 7th of November was a resounding success. Ling Dobson, founder of the NPO Knysna Literary Festival that hosted the evening, said tickets for the evening were sold out. (Read More)
Panel discussion to dissect South Africa’s economy and global perception
The Knysna Literary Liaison will be hosting a panel discussion and exclusive interactive dinner at Ile De Pain on the 7th of November. Ling Dobson, founder of the NPO Knysna Literary Festival, said the discussion will be facilitated by JJ Tabane with Moeletsi Mbeki leading the conversation. (Read More)
Young Writers initiative part of the Knysna Literary Festival
Over the past 10 years the Knysna Literary Festival has established itself as one of the most prestigious festivals on the Garden Route. The festival was initiated by a strong desire to engage with the community youth, to allow their “Imagination to take flight” through writing of short stories, poems and essays. We have successfully over this period attracted learners to attend workshops and compete in the greater Knysna area (Eden, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay). (Read More)
The 9th annual Knysna Literary Festival – let your imagination take flight
Presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, the ninth annual Knysna Literary Festival (#KnysnaLitFest) will be hosted from 9 – 11 March 2018, offering a diverse and inspiring programme that includes small-group interactive sessions, larger-group presentations, and informal chats with authors. This year, all events take place at selected venues around the iconic Thesen Islands, in the heart of Knysna, and topics and books are guaranteed to inspire lively debate both at the festival, as well as long after. (Read More)
2017
Day one of Knysna Literary Festival commences!
Authors and oysters: two delights that guests attending the annual Knysna Literary Festival can definitely expect. Celebrating its eighth year, the Knysna Literary Festival (taking place from 16 – 19 March), is the Garden Route’s only annual festival that hosts an exclusive group of local authors. Its popularity is growing by the year, with attendance having doubled in the past two years. With a line-up including Fred Khumalo, Moeletsi Mbeki, Don Pinnock, Anastacia Tomson, and Pieter-Dirk Uys (to name a few) it comes as no surprise that this yearly celebration of writers, books, and all things literary is growing. (Read More)
Knysna Literary Festival starts tomorrow
This year’s eighth Knysna Literary Festival is upon us tomorrow, Thursday March 16 until March 19. Festival manager Sasha Campbell says bookings have been excellent, with some events having sold out the same day they opened. While there are still some hot seats to be had at some of the talks, listed below, Campbell said she was very excited about the Children’s Theatre to be held at Knysna Primary School from 09:00 until 10:00 on Thursday, March 16. (Read More)
Helen Zille suggests her comments were taken out of context
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, who’s at the centre of controversy over a tweet claiming there were positives to colonialism, suggests her comments were taken out of context. Zille will be the subject of an investigation by the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s Federal Legal Commission after she tweeted that the legacy of colonialism was not only negative. (Read More)
‘Controversial colonialism tweet taken out of context’, says Helen Zille
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille says her controversial tweet about colonialism was taken out of context. She was speaking during a panel discussion yesterday at the Knysna Literary Festival. (Read More)
Helen Zille on colonialism: 12 Tweets and a chat vs scholarship
South Africa has had another week of intense – more intense than usual – debate on colonialism and its legacy in South Africa. The brief re-encounter with our sense of the past more than with the substance of that past, was triggered by the Twitter activity of Helen Zille, former leader of the Democratic Alliance and currently the premier of the Western Cape Province. (Read More)
This one’s for iron men – Herald Live
If you thought Ironman was hectic, think again because Expedition Racing is arguably “the toughest sport on earth”. “Imagine doing the Comrades, the Duzi Canoe Marathon and the Cape Argus all back to back, without stopping, three times over and doing this all off-road where the course can include caving, climbing, glacier crossing and ocean paddling. “That is a bit what expedition racing is like,” says Knysna-based racer Mark Collins. (Read More)
Stage production tackles bullying – Herald Live
Next month’s literary festival in Knysna will explore not only the world of books but also encourage youngsters to tell their own stories through a production of The Incredible Journey: The Making of a Hero on the theatre component of the annual programme. (Read More)
Exciting line-up of thematic authors at the 2017 Knysna Literary Festival:
EXCITING NEWS for the #KnysnaLitFest is this year’s dynamic line-up of thematic authors including Richard Steyn as he takes us on a journey into the mind and life of a South African historical icon, Jan Smuts, with his book Unafraid of Greatness. R150pp (Booking Reference C) |Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa |17 March | 09h00 – 10h00. (Read More)
The Echo of Noise | Peter Dirk Uys in Knysna and Plett:
The Knysna and Plett Literary Liaisons with Evita Bezuidenhout have sold-out, but don’t fear… Pieter Dirk Uys will be back in full-swing again on the 16th of March at the White House Theatre in Plett and the 17th of March at Conrad Pezula in Knysna. Enjoy Pieter Dirk Uys ‘unplugged’ – speaking from the heart as he shares his private and public life with his theatre production The Echo of Noise, at Conrad Pezula Resort and Spa from 18h00 – 19h30. Don’t miss this master storyteller who can make as much fun of himself as he does with others. Tickets are available from the 1st of February; R200 per person. (Booking Reference F)(Read More)
Save the Date:
Let your imagination take flight during this year’s Knysna Literary Festival. The schedule reveals a diverse selection of critically acclaimed, award-winning authors who are set to descend on the Knysna seaside town for the festival’s 8th consecutive year from the 16th – 19th of March, 2017. (Read More)
Inspiring tomorrow – Pam Golding Knysna & Plett and FunDza applaud local youth for their creative stories:
A creative writing workshop presented by FunDza, organised and sponsored by Pam Golding Knysna & Plett, was held at separate venues in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay last week. The creative writing workshops were conducted by FunDza’s Sonja Kruse (workshop facilitator) and Ndibulele “Ndibs” Sotondooshe (writer and workshop facilitator) and were hosted at Knysna Montessorri, Knysna Secondary, Percy Mdala and Concordia schools in Knysna and at Greenwood Bay College in Plett with more than 250 children participating. (Read More)
Star-studded line-up for 8th Knysna Literary Festival:
Let your imagination take flight during this year’s Knysna Literary Festival. Ling Dobson from Pam Golding Properties Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, and Founder of the Knysna Literary Festival, has released the line-up for this year’s festival, taking place from 16th – 19th March, 2017. The schedule reveals a diverse selection of critically acclaimed, award-winning authors who are set to descend on the Knysna seaside town for the festival’s 8th consecutive year. (Read More)
2016
Inspiring tomorrow – Pam Golding Knysna & Plett and FunDza applaud local youth for their creative stories
A creative writing workshop presented by FunDza, organised and sponsored by Pam Golding Knysna & Plett, was held at separate venues in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay last week. The creative writing workshops were conducted by FunDza’s Sonja Kruse… (Read More)
MasterChef SA judge delights guests:
Celebrity chef and MasterChef SA judge Pete Goffe-Wood delighted guests at his Look ‘n Cook event at Kilzer’s Kitchen on Thursday 17 March. With his warm, down-to-earth manner he had them laughing at his anecdotes as he put the finishing touches to the three delicious courses from his book, A Life Digested, which had been prepped by the Kilzer’s Kitchen team. Jane Simon Wine Ambassador kept guests’ wine glasses full, and Luka Wines offered tastings of their delicious wines. (Read More)
Rob Caskie will entertain and enthral at the Knysna Literary Festival:
Don’t miss South Africa’s most powerful storyteller, Rob Caskie, at this year’s Knysna Literary Festival. Caskie’s presentation, “Race to the Pole” on Sunday, 20 March, promises to provide wonderful entertainment as he describes the fantastic duel between Robert Scott of the Royal Navy and supreme polar explorer, Roald Amundsen from Norway, which ended starkly with the death of Scott’s entire party. (Read More)
Exploring Social Media Risks with Emma Sadleir:
One of the highlights of this year’s Knysna Literary Festival will be a talk by Emma Sadleir entitled “Exploring Social Media Risks.” (Read More)
Knysna Literary Festival opens today (Thursday, 17 March) :
The 2016 Knysna Literary Festival gets underway today with three exciting events: Qhawe Children’s Theatre; the Young Writer’s Awards Ceremony; and Look ‘n Cook with Pete Goffe-Wood at Kilzers Kitchen. (Read More)
Knysna Literary Festival ticket sales open:
Tickets for the seventh annual Knysna Literary Festival went on sale this week and two events have already sold out – Look ‘n Cook with Pete Goffe-Wood, and Delicious Word Journey. (Read More)
Knysna Literary Festival ticket sales open in a week:
Tickets for the seventh annual Knysna Literary Festival, which takes place from 17 to 20 March, will go on sale this coming Monday, 1 February. Tickets can be bought online through www.webtickets.co.za or from the Pam Golding Properties Knysna office at 5 Gray Street. (Read More)
2016 Young Writers Competition Launched:
The Knysna Literary Festival has launched the 2016 Young Writers Competition and is calling for entries from learners in the Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay areas. (Read More)
Save the Date for the Knysna Literary Festival, 17 – 20 March 2016:
The seventh annual Knysna Literary Festival will take place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 March next year. This was confirmed by Ling Dobson of Pam Golding Properties Knysna, who established the event in 2010 as a way of giving back to the Knysna community. (Read More)
2015
SLOW Magazine March 2015:
http://www.freemagazines.co.za
SLOW Magazine is the official guest magazine for SLOW and SLOW IN THE CITY, the exclusive business lounges operated by British Airways Comair in partnership with FNB Private Clients and RMB Private Bank.
INDWE Magazine March 2015:
http://indwemag.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-knysna-literary-festival.html
Indwe Magazine is a vibrant Travel Lifestyle Inflight Magazine For South African Express Airways. Indwe can be found onboard South African Express flights and in all South African Airways domestic and international business class lounges, and is also distributed to travel agencies, selected publicity associations, tourist information bureaus, hotels and private lodges.
Sunday Times magazine supplement ‘Business Class’ March 2015:
http://anax1em.pressmart.com/BusinessClassMagazine/Index.aspx?issue=issue11&page=10
Business Class is a monthly lifestyle magazine aimed at achievers with interest in business, style and a good life. As a supplement to Business Times, Business Class is distributed nationally to 70 000 Sunday Times subscribers in high-LSM metropolitan areas on the second Sunday of every month.
6th Annual Knysna Literary Festival a SOLD-OUT SUCCESS
Presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival took place over the weekend to great success, with ticket sales far exceeding any other year so far. Festival Founder Ling Dobson explains, “We were sold out within four hours for Zapiro Unplugged at Il de Pain, and the Delicious Word journey sold out in just two days – compared to a week last year. Before the festival even started we were down to just a scattering of tickets still available.” (Read More)
6th Annual Knysna Literary Festival kicks off on 18 – 22 March 2015 in celebration of “World Day of Theatre for children and young people”
Presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival officially commenced yesterday with a day-long celebration of youth. Starting in the morning, children arrived at the Knysna Primary School by the busload, coming from schools all along the Garden Route, from Sedgefield to Plett, to see two sold-out performances by the Lilliput Players and Hare Manje. (Read More)
6th Annual Knysna Literary Festival takes flight 18 – 22 March 2015
Presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival takes place 18-22 March, 2015. A five-day-long unique literary experience, the Knysna Literary Festival offers attendees a diverse programme that includes small-group workshops, larger-group presentations, informal chats with authors and the opportunity to experience some of Knysna’s most exclusive private properties with a dash of cuisine. (Read More)
Santie Pretorius, author of ‘Fat Genes to Skinny Jeans’, will be present at the Knysna Literary Festival
Well-known Knysna resident Santie Pretorius, author of ‘Fat Genes to Skinny Jeans’, will be present at the Knysna Literary Festival for book sales and signing.‘Fat Genes to Skinny Jeans’ tells the story of how Santie achieved an incredible weight loss of 105 kg in just over two years. Morbidly obese at 175 kg, depressed and desperate, Santie could see no way forward. Then she heard about weight loss surgery and made the decision that would change her life. (Read More)
Annual Knysna Literary Festival inspires local talent, 18-22 March 2015
The 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival, presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna from 18-22 March, has a full line-up of events intended to showcase and inspire local talent, whether they are established authors or young learners with an interest in the written word. (Read More)
Programme highlights announced for the 6th annual Knysna literary Festival, 18th March 2015
Presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival will take place from 18-22 March 2015. A five-day-long unique literary “experience,” the Knysna Literary Festival offers attendees a diverse programme that includes small-group workshops, larger-group presentations, informal chats with authors and the opportunity to experience some of Knysna’s most exclusive private properties with a dash of cuisine. A few of the 2015 programme highlights have already been announced (Read More)
Tickets selling fast for the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival, 18-22 March 2015
Ticket sales for the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival, presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna from 18-22 March only opened on 2 February but some events are already selling out. Festival manager Sasha Campbell explains, “This year we are thrilled to have South African celebrity cartoonist and author Jonathan Shapiro, famous as Zapiro, join us at the festival and apparently everyone else is, too! His Unplugged appearance – where he will talk about his book “Democrazy” at Ile de Pain on 20 March – sold out in just four hours!” (Read More)
Call for entries: Young Writers Competition, 18th March 2015, Part of the 6th annual Knysna literary Festival
Part of the the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival, presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, entries are open for the Young Writers’ Competition. Growing in popularity, the competition attracted a record number of nearly 200 entries in 2014 from the students of Knysna, including Sedgefield and Karatara, and Plettenberg Bay. (Read More)
Full programme released for the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival, 18 – 22 March 2015
The full festival programme for the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival, presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, is now available on its website at www.knysnaliteraryfestival.co.za. The festival takes place from 18-22 March and annually attracts thousands of literary enthusiasts to take part in its unique literary “experience.” (Read More)
Save the Date for the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival, 18 – 22 March 2015
Knysna Literary Festival. Presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna, the 6th annual Knysna Literary Festival will take place from 18-22 March 2015. A five-day-long experience, you won’t want to miss the Garden Route’s only literary festival that annually hosts an exclusive group of hand-selected authors from South Africa and abroad. Attendees’ imaginations will take flight with the diverse programme that touches on current affairs, politics, history and adventure. There’s even a dash of cuisine, part of the sell-out Delicious Word Journey, wine tastings and other treats. (Read More)
2014
Knysna Literary Festival Kicks off with Packed Auditoriums in Celebration of Youth Day on 18 March 2014
Now in its 5th year, the Knysna Literary Festival – presented by Pam Golding Properties – officially commenced today in a celebration of Youth starting with The Lilliput Children’s Theatre starring Red Riding Hood, followed by the Young Writer’s Awards Ceremony, where winners of the annual creative writing competition were announced. (Read More)
Award-winning author Rev. Frank Chikane to respond to criticisms levelled at Thabo Mbeki’s presidency as part of the Knysna Literary Festival
Author Rev. Frank Chikane will be appearing at the Knysna Literary Festival as part of “The Things that Could Not be Said” political presentation on 21 March from 12h00 – 13h30 at the Simola Hotel & Spa. Born and raised in Soweto, Chikane is a former Secretary of Cabinet and Head (Director-General) of the Presidency. He has a dramatic past, including being at different times imprisoned, tortured, issued with a series of banning orders by the apartheid regime, and barely escaping death when he was targeted and poisoned by a hit team. (Read More)
Acclaimed author Julian Rademeyer to host “Rhino wars” debate as part of tthe Knysna Literary Festival
Should the Rhino Horn Trade be legalised? Why has the poaching of rhinos in South Africa skyrocketed in recent years? How has Kruger National Park managed to get it so wrong, with the highest rhino “kill rate” of all parks? Does South Africa’s unique social challenges – like land rights and poverty – make it particularly vulnerable to rhino poaching? These are just some of the questions that will form what is sure to be a vigorous debate at the “Rhino Wars” talk, part of the 5th annual Knysna Literary Festival, presented by Pam Golding Properties. The debate will be led by investigative journalist Julian Rademeyer, author of the book, “Killing for Profit.” (Read More)
5th Annual Knysna Literary Festival set to take place over the long weekend, 18-23 March 2014
Presented by Pam Golding Properties, the 5th annual Knysna Literary Festival takes place this year 18-23 March 2014. With 12 events spread over four days, the Festival offers a diverse programme led by some of South Africa’s top literary talent. Kicking off on 18 March, youngsters will get inspired at the Lilliput Children’s Theatre show with Red Riding Hood taking centre stage, followed by the highly anticipated Young Writer’s Award Ceremony. (Read More)
John van de Ruit – South Africa’s bestselling author of all time with over 500 000 books sold – to present the Making of “Spud” as part of the Knysna Literary Festival
Author John van de Ruit will be appearing at the Knysna Literary Festival to chat about his globally successful Spud series on Friday 21 March from 09h00 – 10h30 at the Simola Hotel & Spa. His debut novel, Spud remains a publishing phenomenon in South Africa, smashing all local fiction records. Following Spud’s release in September 2005, the sequel Spud – The Madness Continues… (2007) received rave reviews and both books have since been published around the globe. The penultimate book in the side-splitting series, Spud – Learning to Fly, was released in 2009. The fourth and final book in the series, Spud – Exit, Pursued by a Bear was released in 2012.(Read More)
2013
Karin Maclarty’s take on the KLF 2013
The Knysna Literary Festival happened from 19 – 24 March. When Lori and I offered to help Ling and Sasha a year earlier, I had little idea that it was going to be such a fun-filled and emotional roller coaster of a ride. (Read More)
Fourth Knysna Literary Festival
Current affairs–politics, adventure, mystery and a dash of cuisine – are the themes of the fourth annual Knysna Literary Festival to be held in Knysna, Western Cape from 19-24 March 2013. Renowned authors and raconteurs include Deon Meyer – 7 Days, Rob Caskie – Rorke’s Drift and Shackleton Expedition, Riaan Manser – Around Iceland on Inspiration, Sarah Graham – Bitten, McIntosh Polela – My Father my Monster, Shaka Sisulu –Becoming. (Read More)
Word is Knysna’s literally the place to be
The fourth annual Knysna Literary Festival will take place from 19 to 24 March 2013 and, boasting renowned local authors as guest speakers, the 2013 event promises to be a wordfest not to be missed. Featuring the likes of Deon Meyer, McIntosh Polela, Riaan Manser and Sarah Graham, the festival also presents a variety of events that combine the written word with uniquely Knysna experiences. (Read More)
Young writers sharpen their skills
The learners, from Knysna High School, Knysna Secondary School, Percy Mdala High School, Concordia High School, Knysna Montessori School and Oakhill School, brainstormed ideas about the purpose of writing, deciding on a format, and adding pizzazz to writing. (Read More)
Read between the lines and discover how the Knysna Literary Festival gives back
Aside from presenting book worms of all ages with a programme filled with fantastic events, the Knysna Literary Festival, taking place from 19 to 24 March 2013, is all about giving back. (Read More)
2012
The Knysna Literary Festival – a feast for the literary senses
Knysna, Western Cape – The third annual Knysna Literary Festival promises to be a feast for the literary senses with the inclusion of some of South Africa’s most acclaimed and awarded authors. This year’s line-up includes Mike Nicol, author of Monkey Business – The Murder of Anni Dewani: The Facts, The Fiction, The Spin; Michael Sears, part of the writing team of Michael Stanley and author of A Carrion Death; Ingrid de Kok author of Terrestrial Things; Ryk Neethling, Olympic Gold Medalist with Chasing the Dream; Rob Caskie, author of Rorke’s Drift as well as Margie Orford and Mandy Wiener. (Read More)
Joining Forces: Mandy Wiener and Margie Orford at this year’s Knysna Literary Festival
Knysna, Western Cape – The third annual Knysna Literary Festival, taking place from the 27th to the 29th April 2012, aims to reach out to Knysna’s residents and visitors to promote literacy and education as well as the best South African authors. (Read More)
Knysna Literary Festival announces 2012 dates and beneficiaries
Knysna, Western Cape – Established in 2010 by Ling Dobson, Franchisee and Principal Agent of Pam Golding Knysna; the third annual Knysna Literary Festival promises to offer more than ever before. Created as a means for Dobson to give back to her beloved community, The Knysna Literary Festival aims to not only be a means to stimulate the children of Knysna and encourage them to embrace literacy, but to expose locals and visitors alike to the many South African authors taking part in this year’s event. (Read More)
Knysna Litarary Festival Official Press Release
Knysna’s tapestry of beauty, Sun and Fun, Culture and History is rich and colourful, and much loved and sought after by South Africans as well as the international fraternity. As the Franchisee and Principal of Pam Golding Properties, Knysna, I believe it important to give back to the community that we are servicing. (Read More)
Knysna Litarary Festival 2012 Programme Download