kagablog

Multi-talented writers from all walks of life will once again come together to share their stories, lives and passions at the third Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF), held from 15 – 17 May 2009.

This year’s festival has an exciting line–up of acclaimed national and international writers who will be part of panel discussions and debates hosted by various well-known media and publishing personalities.

Some of the world–renowned speakers who will be part of this year’s programme include Zimbabwean Alexandra Fuller (now living in Wyoming USA), legendary South African novelist André Brink, popular columnist Fred Khumalo, Lebo Mashile (actor, TV presenter and performance poet), Zimbabwean lawyer, novelist and short story writer Petina Gappah, as well as the Deputy High Commissioner for India, Vikas Swarup, whose novel Q&A has been made into the Oscar nominated movie, Slumdog Millionaire. Vikus will be introducing a benefit showing of the movie at the Franschhoek Festival with the proceeds going to the FLF Library Fund.

Other well-known South African authors like Max du Preez, Koos Kombuis, Justin Cartwright and Mike van Graan will also be joining the long list of established and emerging writers on this year’s weighty festival programme.

Bookings for Franschhoek Literary Festival opens in March.

Full list of Franschhoek Literary Festival speakers

Alexandra Fuller: Zimbabwean writer now living in Wyoming. (Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, Scribbling the Cat, The Legend of Colton H. Bryant)

André Brink: leading South African novelist (recent memoir: A Fork in the Road / ’n Vurk in die Pad)

Andrew Brown: Cape Town advocate, novelist and police reservist (Coldsleep Lullabye, Street Blues)

Aryan Kaganof: Cape Town novelist (Uselessly) and poet

Blaq Pearl: Cape Town performance poet

Christopher Hope: South African novelist now living in France (My Mother’s Lovers) and FLF Director

Dennis Davis: Cape Town judge

Diale Thlolwe: thriller writer from Ekurhuleni, East Rand (Ancient Rites)

Dianne Stewart: author of children’s books (Folk Tales from Africa), creative writing teacher and compiler (Durban in a Word) from KwaZulu Natal

Eben Venter: Afrikaans novelist now living in Australia (Horrelpoot /Trencherman)

Edyth Bulbring: Johannesburg journalist, and writer of young adult novels (The Club)

Elwyn Jenkins: retired Pretoria professor who specialises in South African children’s literature and has served on official SA place naming bodies (Falling into Place)

Finuala Dowling: Cape Town academic, poet and novelist (Flyleaf, Notes from the Dementia Ward)

Fred Khumalo: Johannesburg journalist and novelist (Seven Steps To Heaven, Touch My Blood)

Helen Moffett: Cape Town writer and editor (The Art & Science of Cricket)

Henriette Rose-Innes: Cape Town novelist and short story writer (The Rock Alphabet, “Poison” won the 2008 Caine Prize)

Jeremy Gordin: Johannesburg journalist, editor, publishing executive and biographer (Zuma: A Biography)

Justin Cartwright: South African novelist now living in England (The Song Before it is Sung, To Heaven by Water – due in April)

Koos Kombuis: rock star and satirist from Somerset West (The Complete Secret Diaries of God)

Lauren Beukes: author, cartoon scriptwriter and journalist (Moxyland)

Lebo Mashile: actor, TV presenter and performance poet (Flying Above the Sky) from Johannesburg

Mandla Langa: ANC activist, ex-Icasa chairperson and novelist (The Lost Colours of the Chameleon), now based in Johannesburg

Max du Preez: journalist, columnist, political analyst and documentary film maker, now living in the Western Cape (Of Tricksters, Tyrants and Turncoats)

Michiel Heyns: Stellenbosch academic, novelist (The Typewriter’s Tale) and translator (Agaat)

Mike van Graan: playwright (Green Man Flashing, Bafana Republic) and Director of the African Arts Institute

Petina Gappah: Zimbabwean lawyer, novelist and short story writer (An Elegy for Easterly) now living and working in Geneva

Pippa Green: Johannesburg journalist, broadcaster and biographer (Choice, Not Fate : The Life and Times of Trevor Manuel)

Rajend Mesthrie: Cape Town academic and linguist

Reuben Riffel: Franschhoek chef at Reuben’s (Reuben Cooks … Food is Time Travel)

Roger Smith: screenwriter, film and TV producer and thriller writer (Mixed Blood) now living in Cape Town

Ronelda Kamfer: Cape Town author and poet (Noudat Slapende Honde)

Shaun Johnson: Cape Town journalist, CEO of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation and novelist (The Native Commissioner)

Sindiwe Magona: motivational speaker, poet, playwright, actor, author of children’s books and novelist (To My Children’s Children, Beauty’s Gift)

Stacy Hardy

Suzette Kotze-Myburgh: editor who lives in Stellenbosch

Tan Twan Eng: advocate and novelist from Malaysia (The Gift of Rain)

Tim Noakes: Cape Town sports scientist and academic (The Art & Science of Cricket)

Tom Eaton: Cape Town satirist, scriptwriter and novelist

Tracy Gilpin: short story writer and novelist (Double Cross), now working in communications in Cape Town

Vikas Swarup: diplomat, Deputy High Commissioner for India in Pretoria, and best-selling novelist (Q&A – now the award-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire – and Six Suspects)

Willem Anker: Stellenbosch academic and novelist (Siegfried)

Zubeida Jaffer: journalist and political analyst from Cape Town (Our Generation, Love in the Time of Treason: The Life Story of Ayesha Dawood)