Authors, poets, moderators, and performers are set to take part in the fifth annual Cape Flats Book Festival, which will be held from Saturday, January 31 to Sunda,y February 1 at West End Primary School in Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain.
The free festival, hosted by literacy non-profit Read to Rise, is open to the public and aims to celebrate reading, writing, and storytelling across generations. More than 90 speakers are expected to participate across more than 50 sessions for children, young adults, and adults.
These include poetry readings, writing workshops, storytelling sessions, a puppet show, giveaways, books, food stalls, and exhibitors, said programme director Roscoe Williams.
Read to Rise was founded in 2013 and is a non-profit organisation that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities across South Africa.
Read to Rise co-founder Athol Williams said the festival is about changing perceptions of the Cape Flats by centring stories, ideas, and creativity from the area.
“The Cape Flats Book Festival is rewriting the narrative of the Cape Flats by bringing stories, ideas, and dreams to life. We are recasting literary festivals as events relevant and accessible to everyone and building bridges between communities,” he said.
He said the organisation’s mission is to bring South African authors and publishers to the Cape Flats while also showcasing local writers.
“These two worlds, so often structurally divided, are brought together at the festival,” he said.
Mr Williams said the vision this year is to inspire a love of reading among young pupils and the wider community while showcasing local authors, poets, and storytellers.
He said the festival encourages early literacy, fosters creativity, and builds pride in local talent, while showing young people that their voices matter and that reading can open doors to new opportunities.
This year’s festival is sponsored by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, the National Arts Council, and West End Primary School.
A wide range of authors will be featured, including Anwar McKay, Mandy Wiener, Julian Jansen, FEHMZ, Patric Tariq Mellet, Nicole Engelbrecht, Zapiro, Brandan Reynolds, Jeremy Vearey, Deon Meyer, Craig Japhta, Nadia Cassim, Qaanitah Hunter, and Kim Bagley.
Featured poets include Sarah Uheida, Jadrick Pedro, Koobus Moolman, Chantal Stewart, Thabo Leholo, Ryan Pedro, Mengelmoes Digters, and the Cape Cultural Collective.
Read to Rise executive director Taryn Lock said the organisation is grateful for the support the festival receives.
“So many people benefit from this book festival as it brings together children, adults, aspiring, new, and award-winning writers and experts from all walks of life to celebrate literature,” she said.
Children’s programming includes storytelling by Bianca Flanders, Diana Ferris, Sibu Bosa, Samantha Adams, Lulu Fellowes, and Paulvin Webster, as well as the OAKY Puppet Show, face painting, and mascot appearances.
Workshops will also be held for aspiring writers and poets, covering memoir, romance, true crime, and publishing.
Sessions run from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturday and from 10am to 2.30pm on Sunday.
Attendees who attend more than three sessions can receive a goodie bag from the Read to Rise stand, while stocks last, and lucky draws will take place daily at 12.30pm.
For more information, visit www.capeflatsbookfestival.co.za or email info@readtorise.co.za.