After months of anticipation, we’re thrilled to announce that the Open Book Festival 2025 programme is now live on our website, and you can secure your place at this year’s most anticipated literary celebration taking place 5-7 September 2025.
Featuring exceptional writers, poets, and storytellers, this year’s Festival promises to be our most dynamic yet – a vibrant celebration of literature, ideas, and the transformative power of storytelling. Through the lens of books, we’ll explore pressing social issues and universal human experiences over three days. This year’s themes include examining mental health and wellbeing, unpacking evolving relationships and masculinity, confronting colonial legacies, and celebrating queer joy and resistance.
In other good news – we did it! Thank you for helping us reach our R500K target. Your incredible support following the government funding cuts has made this festival possible. Together, we’ve ensured that Open Book remains a beacon for diverse voices and vital conversations. You made Open Book happen.
Programme Highlights
Conversations with Mohale returns with “Are We Tired Yet?” – Pumla Dineo Gqola, Goretti Kyomuhendo, and Zulaikha Patel speak to Mohale Mashigo about emotional exhaustion and crisis fatigue.
Up Close with Maneo features the unmissable conversation between Maneo Mohale and literary icon Tsitsi Dangarembga, discussing complex states of Black girlhood in Dangarembga’s powerful Tambudzai and Nyasha trilogy.
Director’s Choice: Literary Spaces and Belonging sees Festival Director Mervyn Sloman in conversation with Mohale Mashigo, Lesedi Molefi, and Mbali Sikakana about how Black writers navigate white literary spaces and what needs to change.
Make Noise & Hold All Applause presents Lesedi Molefi exploring mental health and capitalism – asking what it means to stop performing and finally say the quiet part out loud, joined by Mpho Boshego, Andile Cele, and Nthato Mokgata.
Created in Africa: Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, James Murua and Rémy Ngamije speak to Mervyn Sloman about their efforts to spotlight African writing. This event is brought to you by the African Literary Cities Project.
Banging on the Walls of the Tank: Haidar Eid speaks to Usuf Chikte about his new book, a collection of essays and articles he wrote and published during the Israeli onslaught on Gaza and the “hermetic blockade” that has been in place since 2007.
Weeping Becomes a River | A One Year Celebration – join the unmissable Siphokazi Jonas for an immersive storytelling performance that is more than a celebration – it is an intentional space for community and reflection. Siphokazi is joined on stage by Elvis Sibeko (composition and soundscapes) and Inganam Batala (Instrumentalist).
Slam City Showcase celebrates Cape Town’s premier poetry slam, bringing together the city’s boldest voices who’ve been slamming month after month, hosted by Thapelo Tharaga and Zizipho Bam.
Writersports 2025 – who will be this year’s champion? Join Alistair Mackay, Lesedi Molefi, Rémy Ngamije, Paige Nick, Sue Nyamnjoh, and Zibu Sithole for our legendary live writing competition, with Festival Director Mervyn Sloman returning as MC – Master of Cheating.
Head to our website now to see the full programme and secure your tickets via Webtickets.
Many events are just R50, with several free sessions.
We believe everyone should have access to the conversations we create. If ticket costs present a barrier, please reach out to openbooktickets@gmail.com to request a complimentary pass to your selected events.
Ready to join us 5-7 September? Let’s open books, open minds, and open conversations together.
For those eager to dive into the worlds created by our featured authors, all participants’ books will be available for purchase from our partner, The Book Lounge. We encourage you to support these talented writers and get reading ahead of the festival.
Our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, without whom this festival would not be possible: the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust, Jonathan Ball Publishers, NB Publishers, Pan Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Stellenbosch University English Department, Africa Literary Cities Project, Littlegig, House of Sachane, the Caine Prize, Silent Bookclub, Climate Lounge, and Letterhead.
See you at the Festival.