A veritable feast for booklovers

The 2018 South African Book Fair will offer more than ever before

For immediate release

Johannesburg, South Africa [insert day and date] – Booklovers of all persuasions are juggling
their diaries to try and fit in as much as possible at this year’s South African Book Fair, which will
take place at the Newtown Precinct in Johannesburg from 7 to 9 September. The Book Fair will
run from 7 to 9 September and will feature a range of attractions to tickle the fancy and grab the
interest of everyone who loves books.

The exciting line-up has something for everyone, from panel discussions with leading movers and
shakers, to creative writing workshops with teen bloggers, philosophy café events facilitated by
prominent thought leaders, poetry café events featuring some of our boldest voices, and
sessions dealing with some of the most pressing social, economic and political issues facing our
country today.

Constructed around the theme #OURSTORIES, the Book Fair aims to showcase the very best of
contemporary writing from South Africa and the African continent, as well as to engage
audiences on hot-button topics such as identity, gender, politics after Zuma and in the age of
Trump, personal money management, and the contested concept of beauty.

Just one of the sessions on 8 September, entitled New President, Now What? (10:00 – 11:00) will
examine the Ramaphoria phenomenon and interrogate whether South Africa stands on the brink
of a new dawn or whether we’re just in for a ride in the same old car. Facilitator Ralph Mathekga
and panellists Prince Mashele (The Fall Of The ANC), Mark Haywood (Get Up! Stand Up!) and Jan- Commented [u1]: Name is correct.

Jan Joubert (Who Will Rule In 2019?) will also explore potential future scenarios for the country.

On a similar topic but in a parallel universe, a session entitled Futurama (11:30 – 12:30) will
feature an eclectic group of writers who will take participants on a voyage of imagination into an
unimagined future. Unathi Slasha (The Seamy Side), Unathi Magubeni (Nwelezelanga, The Star
Child), Siphiwe Ndlovu (The Theory Of Flight) and Odafe Atogun (Wake Me When I’m Gone) will
venture into the world of fantasy and magic realism, opening up the doors of perception for
those with the courage to venture through them.
The programme on 9 September offers up many equally tempting delight. In a session entitled
Colour Me Allsorts (10:00 – 11:00), a panel comprising Bev Ditsie (an LGBTI activist) and Hester Commented [u2]: I’ve left this as is. Skin Deep is
scheduled for 8 September and this is an example of a
van der Walt (Sê My, Is Julle Twee Susters?) and facilitated by B. Camminga will explore the session on the programme for 9 September.
fluidity and complexity of gender as well as the way which we communicate gender issues
through our stories.

In contrast, a philosophy café session entitled Africa in the Era of Trump (11:30 – 12:30) will
examine what Africa’s response should be in the face of a US President who has openly referred
to nations across the continent as “shithole countries”. A panel chaired by Professor Adekeye
Adebajo, the Director of the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University
of Johannesburg (UJ), and including Pallo Jordan, former Minister of Arts and Culture; Professor
Gilbert Khadiagala, who holds the Jan Smuts Chair of International Relations at Wits; and
Professor Catherine Odora Hoppers, former SARHCHI Chair in Development Education at the
University of South Africa (Unisa), will take a no-holds-barred look at the persistent prejudices
that are still so evident in Western perceptions of the African continent.

Of special interest for poetry lovers will be the Keorapetse Kgositsile Poetry Cafés, which will take
place on both 8 and 9 September. These four pop-up events will feature a feast of
intergenerational voices who are writing in our indigenous languages, including Antjie Krog,
Lebohang Masango (aka Nova), Lebo Mashile, Flo Mokale, Siphokazi Jonas, Diana Ferrus, Flow
Wellington, Makhosazana Xaba, Katlego Shoro, Xabiso Vili, MoAfrika ‘a Mokgathi, Roche Kester
and Mutle Mothibe. And an open mic session entitled We Recite What We Like will give new
wordsmiths a change to showcase their talent.

The full programme for the 2018 South African Book Fair, which is the final event on the National
Book Week calendar, can be accessed at www.southafricanbookfair.co.za. Booking is essential
and tickets for all sessions are available through WebTickets at
https://www.webtickets.co.za/EventCategories.aspx?itemid=1482084984.

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Released on behalf of the South African Book Fair by OnPoint PR (Johannesburg).

For further information about the South African Book Fair, please visit:
Web site: www.southafricanbookfair.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthAfricanBookFair
Twitter: @SABookFair
Instagram: @sabookfair

For media enquiries, please contact:

Vista Kalipa
OnPoint PR
vista@onpointpr.co.za
073 673 4678

About the South African Book Fair

The South African Book Fair (SABF) is held under the auspices of the South African Book
Development Council (SABDC) and is the culminating event of the annual National Book Week.
Comprising a dedicated children’s day, a book exhibition, a literary festival, a dedicated B2B
section and a demo library set up by Johannesburg Public Libraries, it provides a unique
opportunity for engagement with writers, publishers and thought leaders, as well as an excellent
platform for trade and promotion.

The SABF aims to:

 Engage children of all ages in the joy of reading;
 Present a lively and engaging literary festival;
 Provide a platform for untold stories to be told;
 Facilitate robust engagement on a range of topical issues;
 Showcase books, publishers, authors, booksellers and related industries;
 Forge and promote partnerships across the book publishing and bookselling industries,
both locally and throughout Africa;
 Provide a channel for SMME development; and
 Facilitate skills and enterprise development across the entire book industry value chain.
About the South African Book Development Council
The South African Book Development Council (SABDC), formerly known as the Print Industries
Cluster Council (PICC), is the representative body for the South African book publishing industry.
Its members include all key stakeholders in the book publishing and bookselling value chain.
Further information about the Council and its work is available at http://sabookcouncil.co.za.