An Abundance of Debut Talent is Heading for Constitution Hill

There’s no better place to discover debut writing talent than at this year’s South African Book Fair.

Not just talented in their respective genres, these are writers for whom Pan-African discourse is of paramount importance – and their participation deeply enriches our 2019 programme. The debut authors also represent how the  reclamation of our voices has revolutionised the way we tell #OURSTORIES – the thread for SA Book Fair 2019.

Here is a sampling of the unmissable debut talent at SA Book Fair 2019:

• A trio of new and powerful female voices open the Fair at 10h00 on Saturday September 7 in a session titled Life Reclaimed. Letshego Zulu lost her racing driver Gugu Zulu on Mount Kilimanjaro. Gabi Lowe is the author of Get Me To 21, which recounts her daughter Jenna’s dream to live to the age of 21. Ndileka Mandela is the eldest granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, a role that came with a lifetime of challenges and expectations. (Session Space 1)
• With reclamation comes repatriation – and Phehello Mofokeng, Lorato Trok and Tuelo Gabonewe will be paying homage, in a conversation led by Sabata-mpho Mokae, to their love of Setswana and rehoming the classics. Repatriation of Letters takes place at 13h00 on Saturday September 7 in Session Space 3.
• In true African fashion, a celebration without sharing a plate is not a celebration, and this year’s fair includes plenty of culinary excellence. Mogau Seshoene of the beloved “Lazy Makoti” will be celebrating her birthday with the public in a live demonstration (Sunday September 8 at 10h00 in the Event Space), while Lebo and Tebo Ndala will be sharing their love of food through stories of their cooking (Sunday September 8th at 14h30 in the Event Space).
• What is it with sex? A lot – and Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng will take us through the importance of de-stigmatisation of sex and women’s bodies through her frank approach to taboos. Session Space 3 at 11h30 on Saturday September 7th.
• Pictures tell a thousand words. Mogau Kekana makes his debut at this year’s fair in a carefully curated segment just for illustrators. Showcasing their works alongside Kekana will be Toby Newsome, and Nathi Ngubane. South Africa’s rock stars of the Khwezi series, Clyde Beech and Loyiso Mkize will be featured in this installation. The Illustrator’s Exhibition is open from 10h00 to 17h00 daily.

Others who will be sharing pieces of their reality with an eye on patriarchy, gendering, dispossession and migritude, will be Eva Mazza, Jackie Phamotse, Keletso Mopai, Kelly-Eve Koopman, Makanaka Mavengere-Munsaka, Jolyn Phillips, Remy Ngamije and Lesego Tlhabi, AKA Coconut Kels.

This year’s SA Book Fair programme showcases what is possible if we are courageous enough to lead the change – and the fair’s newer authors will have visitors moving from one session to the next in anticipation of riveting and relevant engagements.

To book your tickets to the Fair and the different sessions click below.