iLembe Book Festival debut delights readers and authors at Luthuli Museum
More than 30 authors engaged in insightful panel discussions, while children's book authors captivated young minds in a dedicated tent.
The Luthuli Museum in Groutville buzzed with excitement as bookworms and authors gathered for the inaugural iLembe Book Festival on Saturday.
More than 30 authors from across the country shared their insights on diverse topics in panel discussions.
Apart from this, children’s book authors held a special session in a dedicated kids’ tent, while 12 local poets showcased their talents in a thrilling poetry competition.
Themed “Our Time, Our Stories, Our Voices,” the festival is the brainchild of three distinguished South African authors.
Driving the concept are Nozizwe Cynthia Jele, author of the novel Happiness is a Four-Letter Word that won the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ prize for best first book in Africa, fiction writer and journalist Dudu Busani-Dube, well known for Hlomu the Wife, and Ayanda Xaba, the author of Scarred.
Reflecting on the festival’s origin, Busani-Dube said when she moved from Johannesburg to Ballito two years ago, she noticed the absence of a book festival in the iLembe district.
She said storytellers have a responsibility to promote a reading culture, particularly in marginalised communities.
She stressed the importance of making books accessible to children and crafting stories that resonate with their experiences.
The intention, according to Busani-Dube, is to host the festival annually.
Among the attendees was Gcina Mhlophe, a storyteller, writer, playwright, and actress, who commended the organisers for hosting such an enriching event in a township.
Fourteen-year-old Groutville High School pupil, Tholakele Gumede expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to gather information for her poetry book.
She highlighted the event’s impact on young people, emphasising the need for events like this one.
“I have learnt a lot about the art of writing and telling a story. As young people, we definitely needed such an event and I hope there will be more in future,” said Gumede.
Maphumulo’s Thuba Thabethe said it was a joy and privilege meeting some of the country’s best black authors.
As a reader from a rural area, she emphasised the importance of promoting the culture of reading.
Among the celebrities who attended was Mbalenhle Mavimbela, who plays the lead role in the “The Wife” series on showmax.
“The Wife” actress
Mbalenhle Mavimbela.
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