The 9th African Women Writers’ Symposium presented by Afro Arts SA Supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)

The 9th African Women Writers’ Symposium takes place from 8 to 20 of October 2023, featuring keynote addresses, panels, workshops and more on all things literature.

The Symposium will kick off on Sunday 8 October at the Soweto Theatre and will result in the launch of the first ever African Women Writers Literary Award. The occasion will feature Nomboniso Gasa and Professor Pamela Nichols from the Wits Writing Centre in conversation, as well as a special talk by Rhodessa Jones (San Francisco, USA), writer, activist, actor and theatre director of the Medea Project: Theatre for incarcerated Women. Jones works with incarcerated women in the USA and has worked over several years in South Africa at Sun City ‘Prison with women inmates’. Her work is focused on using theatre to reduce recidivism in society. She will be looking at issues around women, love, crime and incarceration: including ‘celebrity’ criminals and societal perceptions. Joining her at the talk will be writer and journalist Naledi Shange, author of Cop Killer, the story of Rosemary Ndlovu. The programme will end with music and poetry by award winning artists such as Boskasie, Muneyi, Marleyne B, Dshamilja Roshani and Torsten Rybka.

The second major part of the African Women Writers Symposium will move to the Auditorium (Market Photo Workshop, at the Market Square, Newtown) on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 October 2023. Writer and academic Professor Barbara Boswell will deliver the Nadine Gordimer In Memoriam Lecture on Friday 13 October, followed by a Q&A. Music, poetry and workshops will also take place.

Previous keynote addresses for the Nadine Gordimer In Memoriam Lecture have been delivered by writers from the continent and its diaspora, such as Patricia Smith (USA), Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe), Leila Aboulela (Sudan), Gillian Slovo (SA), and Lorna Goodison (Jamaica), amongst others.

Saturday 14 October will feature various literary international and local panel discussions on contemporary issues as well as master class workshops.

Some of the highlights to look out for include a talk led by Egyptian activist and feminist Mona Eltahawy on social media and misogyny, a panel on independent book publishing, workshops on poetry writing beyond the stage, on scriptwriting and filmmaking, and much more.

Websites:
Afroarts.co.za
Discovr.tv
Sowetotheatre.com
Facebook Page: African Women Writers Network

All programme events are free and open to the public but RSVP is essential for audience members wishing to attend in person. RSVPs are to be sent to afroartsurban@gmail.com

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