The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) opened the 25th edition of the Time of the Writer International Festival hosted virtually on its social media channels.
Time of the Writer co-curator Siphindile Hlongwa welcomed more than 300 viewers to the festival’s opening today at 3 pm. Presented from the Luthuli Museum, she said
“Chief Albert Luthuli was not only an activist for social change but also a fervent writer. As we mark the 60th-anniversary of his autobiography, the power and intensity of his writing remain a powerful document that inspires the 25th anniversary of the festival to go beyond words and to explore how memory, imagination and conscience is is stirred by our novelists, poets, writers and other wordsmiths”
Hlongwa mentioned. This week the festival is back with their 3rd virtual edition that offers a jam-packed programme with over 30 sessions and over 100 participants.
Speaking to this year’s festival and theme, featured writer Mandla Langa said:
“This festival happens at a very crucial time for the people of the country, there is a lot of turbulence and writers should aim to create an oasis. I am also happy to see a lot of young writers in the programme, they hold the lamp and will take us to the future.”
Writer and research and writing fellow at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa Institute, Nokuthula Maziko Msimang presented an inspiring keynote speech on which she reflected on how Luthuli’s autobiography “Let My People Go” can inspire people and how the book has influenced other writers. She continues to refer to our many writers that have contributed extensively to South Africa’s literary environment.
Altogether, Nokuthula’s keynote address remarkably wove together the Festival’s theme, “Beyond words: Memory, Imagination & Conscience” by critically reflecting on the past, smartly analysing our present contexts and offering inspiring insights for the future.
The festival takes place from 14 to 21 March 2022 and will stream live for the 3rd consecutive year, it can be viewed on www.facebook.com/timeofthewriter or www.youtube.com/centreforcreativearts The Festival sets the stage to engage in critical discussions on Luthuli’s vision and the current South Africa and socio-political issues of global interest.
You can find the full programme and line-up on tow.ukzn.ac.za
The 25th edition of the Time of the Writer festival, this year will honour Chief Albert Luthuli whose debut book Let My People Go marks the publication’s 60th anniversary, Notable writers from South Africa and around the globe have been assembled for the Festival by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in partnership with the African Book Festival and with the support of the KZN Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, Embassy of Brazil, Embassy of Ukraine, the High Commission Canada.
Please find the full Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang keynote speech here: https://tow.ukzn.ac.za/03/2022/25th-time-of-the-writer-keynote/