Your guide to navigating #SABF2019

While the 2019 edition of SABF presents a feast of options for literary aficionados, the event is also set up to entertain people from all walks of life. From toddler to grandparent, entrepreneur to student or just friends looking for something different to do for the weekend, we’ve got something for everyone. Whether you’ve read your 30th book for the year or haven’t picked one up since high school, this quick guide will take you through everything you need to know in order to exploit the fair to its fullest potential. 

TICKET INFO:

Where to buy: Webtickets (BUY NOW!) – Also available at the door
General access tickets: R10
Session Tickets: R40
Day pass: R100
Full weekend pass: R150

Keep reading to find out what these tickets offer you

General access (GA):

For just R10 you will unlock all SABF2019 family-friendly activities. These include the National Book Week Magic tent which offers ongoing entertainment for the whole family throughout the day. Powerful storytelling performances, toy libraries, author readings and illustrators. The Gruffalo, will visit the fair and be hosted by resident NBW mascot, Funda Bala. GA tickets also give you access to our incredible Marketplace where you can find a vault full of books by publishers and authors, offering you many more books than what’s on the programme. Textbook experts will be available to assist you with your children’s learning and school needs. A focus on children’s books, including books in all 11 languages. Find treasures at discounted rates in the Marketplace. 

For those visually stimulated, experience awe at Books Beyond Words – an  Illustrators’ Exhibition showcasing Loyiso Mkize, Toby Newsome, Mogau Kekana, Nathi Ngubane and Clyde Beech. To top all of this off, enjoy coffee, food and sweet treats on our festival lawn. 

Session tickets: 

All sessions on our SABF2019 programme are priced  at R40 each. We recommend going through the full programme HERE in order to curate your experience at the fair. Note, 3 – 4 sessions will take place simultaneously within each time-slot. Our sessions include panel discussions that use books, authors and expert facilitators to stimulate lively discussion on topical issues facing our country today. Sex Talk with Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, discussions around Black Tax and its discontents with Niq Mhlongo and Dudu Busani Dube and journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s Gangster State  are only just a few examples of what our panelists will cover this year.

Learn everyday Zulu in Melusi Tshabalala’s Zulu crash course or attend a half-day workshop with Melinda Ferguson on creative writing. 

Session spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. BOOK HERE. 

*Note: Session tickets need to be bought in conjunction with your R10 GA ticket. 

Day pass: 

A day pass for R100 gives you General Access as well as 5 sessions of your choice. Saving you R110. 

Full weekend pass: 

With a full weekend pass of R150 you are granted General Access as well as 7 sessions of your choice, saving you R140!