We know our packed programme can feel overwhelming—so many incredible conversations to choose from! That’s why we’re spotlighting five crucial themes that run through this year’s programme, helping you connect with the topics that matter most to you.
1. African Voices: Reclaiming Our Stories
This year, we welcome voices from across the continent who are reshaping how Africa speaks to itself and the world. African Cosmologies As A World of Magnitude sees Zara Julius, Vusumzi Ngxande, and Jeffrey Rakabe speak to Wanelisa Xaba about turning away from modernity to explore the multilayered richness of African worldviews.
Meanwhile, Spirituality in the Now features Siphokazi Jonas and Vusumzi Ngxande speaking to Vuyo Koyana about reclaiming spiritual inheritance and returning to the heart of Isintu. The Republic offers a screening of the video podcast followed by conversation between Wale Lawal and Will Shoki—editors whose work connects, empowers, and pushes back against colonial legacies.
2. Mental Health: Breaking the Silence
The Body Keeps the Score features Popina Khumanda, Malika Ndlovu, and Jeffrey Rakabe speaking to Firdose Moonda about the scars of trauma and the personal revolution to get to the other side. Fiction as Healing sees Andile Cele, Ashraf Kagee, and Michelle Myeko Kekana explore with Amogelang Moledu how words can mend real-world trauma.
Recovering From Childhood brings together Sven Axelrad, Lebo Mazibuko, and Ntombifuthi Nkabinde in conversation with Lufefe Boss about working through trauma left by problematic parents. Fluency and Trauma features Siphokazi Jonas, Athambile Masola, and Ryan Pedro speaking to Pieter Odendaal about finding language to hold one’s past.
From DRC to Cape Town offers an intimate conversation where Popina Khumanda speaks to Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela about surviving the unthinkable and finding paths to healing. Meanwhile, Finding Lightness explores how Sven Axelrad, Khaya Dlanga, and Karen Vermeulen speak to Dela Gwala about the necessity of humour to process pain.
3. Feminist Voices: Filling the Gaps
Feminist Imaginary | Speaking into Silences brings together Foluso Agbaje, Pumla Dineo Gqola, Goretti Kyomuhendo, and Athambile Masola in conversation with Mbali Sikakana about writing feminist histories and filling gaps in official archives.
Pregnant Expectations features Rebecca Gore, Lebo Mazibuko, and Karen Vermeulen speaking to Joy Watson about unwanted pregnancies, shame, access to care, and reproductive rights. Don’t miss the Book Lounge Feminist Book Club session with Michelle Myeko Kekana, where Noma Tsheleza facilitates an interactive conversation with the author of The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women.
Burning Down the House sees Shakeelah Ismail, Charisse Louw, Mbali Mazibuko, and Simphiwe Rens join Joy Watson for the launch of a collection highlighting feminist understandings of space—because feminism isn’t just personal, it’s spatial.
4. Queer Lives: Joy as Resistance
Queer Celebrations explores how queer gatherings function as resistance, touching on the Cape Town Ball Scene and the politics of joy. Exploring the Queer Imaginary asks how we build alternate presents and futures.
Queer Anxiety addresses the real safety concerns facing queer people across our continent, whilst Queering Intimacy reimagines sex and desire outside heteronormative expectations.
5. Justice & Systems: Confronting What We’ve Inherited
No Signs of Justice sees Caryn Dolley, Rebecca Gore, and Julian Jansen reflect with Dan Corder on how their recent books expose our collapsed criminal justice system. Living in Crisis features Veruska De Vita, Saliem Fakir, and Alistair Mackay speaking to Natalie Sifuma about the climate catastrophe and their work responding to it.
Inherited Systems brings together Rebecca Gore, Adekeye Adebajo, and Edgar Pieterse in conversation with Alexandra Dodd about colonial structures—legal, spatial, cultural—that we either uphold, resist, or remake. RMF 10 Years Later offers crucial reflection as Mam’ Nozi, Kealeboga Mase Ramaru, Carbon, and Patricia Bevie speak to Noluthando Mqadi about repair, reckoning, and restorative politics after movements that “shut down the rainbow nation.”
Traumatised Cities explores structured violence and urban alienation with David Cornwell, Caryn Dolley, and Nthato Mokgata speaking to Edgar Pieterse. Stories of Rebellion sees Foluso Agbaje, Lesedi Molefi, and Nathi Ngubane discuss subverting power with Pumla Dineo Gqola. The Secret Keepers explores how truth refuses to remain hidden, featuring conversations about transparency and accountability, whilst Building on the Past examines how uneasy presents rest on historical layers.
Ready to Join These Conversations?
Many events are just R50, with several free sessions. We believe everyone should have access to these vital conversations. If costs present a barrier, please reach out to openbooktickets@gmail.com for a complimentary ticket.
Head to our website now to see the full programme. Book via Webtickets and prepare for three days that will challenge, inspire, and transform how you see the world.
For those eager to dive into the worlds created by our featured authors, all participants’ books are available for purchase from our partner, The Book Lounge. We encourage you to support these talented writers and get reading ahead of the festival.
These conversations matter. Your voice matters. Join us.