| We’re thrilled to announce that bookings are now open for Open Book Youth Fest 2025! We’ve got an incredible lineup of free events across Cape Town’s libraries and cultural spaces. While most events are taking place at schools, and are therefore not open to the public, there are still many public facing events to attend. Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss: |
| Catch a Storytime with Refiloe Moahloli. On Tuesday 18 March she will be at Langa Library reading from A Friend for all Seasons (11:00-12:00). You can also see her the next day, Wednesday 19 March, at the Cape Town Museum of Childhood reading Let’s Play (also at 11:00-12:00). |
| The Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Collective presents a two-part workshop at Pinelands Library, aimed at Grades 10-12. Session One is facilitated by Kirsten Deane (Wednesday March 19, 14:30-16:00), and Session Two by Lisa Julie (Thursday March 20, 15:00-16:30). |
| Central Library hosts a special multi-author storytime featuring Salamina Mosese, Refiloe Moahloli, Hani du Toit, and Meridian Brendt, with each author reading from their latest book followed by an activity session (Thursday March 20, 11:00-12:00). |
| Join Alex Latimer for a workshop on How To Write A Children’s Book at Wynberg Library (Saturday 22 March, 11:00-13:00). Grades 10 and up are welcome. |
| Bumper Storytime at The Book Lounge! Don’t miss this opportunity to meet two wonderful children’s book authors, Salamina Mosese and Refiloe Moahloli, for a double storytime and activity session (Saturday 22 March, 11:00-12:30). |
| Join Thandiwe Nqanda for a poetry reading and Q&A about her book, No Time To Mourn. She will be reading at Moses Mabhida Library on Saturday 22 March, 11:00-12:00 and at Langa Library on Monday 24 March, 11:00-12:00. |
| Join Subi Bosa at the Cape Town Museum of Childhood for a storytime and activity session about how teachers sometimes get it Wrong! (Wednesday March 26, 11:00-12:00) |
| End the festival at the Youth Fest Open Mic session at Bertha House Activist Café. Featuring a performance by aBantu chorUS and hosted by Zizipho Bam (Wednesday March 26, 18:00-19:30). |
| All events are free to attend, but booking is essential due to limited capacity. For booking queries, contact openbooktickets@gmail.com. |
Remember, our book donation initiative continues! We’re purchasing works by participating authors for distribution to those who attend Youth Fest sessions. To support this initiative, contact Frankie at frankie@openbookfestival.co.za.