Wandisile’s Plett
A blog by Wandisile Sebezo
Abantu Book Festival: Safe Space for Black Writers and Readers
Ncumisa Madikane with Wandisile Sebezo at the Abantu Book Festival in Mofolo, Soweto
The third installment of Abantu Book Festival took place from the 6th to the 9th in Mofolo, Soweto. The festival has become a pilgrimage for black writers and readers. Hailed as an alternative to the much popular “white” literary festivals, such as the Franschhoek Literary Festival and others.
Having missed the previous two, this year, a friend and I decided to rock up to Soweto and be part of the festivities – with thanks to Plett Tourism for sponsoring the trip.
The festival attracted big names, such as Nigerian born Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who was the most popular, so much so that when she was speaking the audience was so big some of us had to watch and listen from the overflow areas that were provided.
Other names included Fred Khumalo, Professor Pumla Ggola, Panashe Chigumadzi, Gcina Mhlope, Lebo Mashile, Zikiswa Warner, Tsitsi Dangaremgba and many more, including newcomers making headlines, like Jolyn Phillips and Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.
The highlight for me was when Professor Dian Ferrus was in conversation with journalist Gail Smith. While studying in the Netherlands in the early 90’s, Diana wrote a poem about Sara Baartman, “I have come to take you home”, a poem that would later lead to the repatriation of Sarah’s remains from France to her resting place not far from Plett- a small town called Hankey in the Eastern Cape. Of all the profound sessions there, this one touched me the most.
And then there were books, loads of books, by African writers of cause. The collection also included writers from the diaspora. From Chinua Achebe to Ben Okri, Amos N Wilson to Ngungi Wa Thiong’o and others personified. A children’s book section together with a children’s playground was also set up.
Food stalls, beer, wine and fine spirits were also on offer. Popular culture multi-award winning artists; Simphiwe Dana and Ringo Madlingozi were there to entertain the crowds.
In its third year, Abantu Book Festival is significant for a number of reasons. It breaks down the already held stereotypes that black people do not read, and that literary spaces are the sole preserve of whites only.
But importantly for me is the social capital that comes with it. As a struggling writer myself, at Abantu I got to meet really interesting people, connect with other writers, we shared ideas and dissected various issues facing South Africa.
I also caught up with Plett born and raised Ncumisa Madikane (pictured), who during the recent Global Citizen Festival held at FNB Stadium, had an opportunity to hairstyle Beyonce’s crew.
We went, we read, we conversed, we laughed, we ate, we danced, we sang, we indeed imagined ourselves into existence.
Ntombi Wonci with Wandisile Sebezo at the Abantu Book Festival in Mofolo, Soweto
