The Jakes Gerwel Discussions at Suidoosterfees, taking place from 30 April to 4 May at Artscape, is proudly brought to the festival by the Jakes Gerwel Foundation, the ATKV and Netwerk24. Journalists, writers, poets, opinion leaders and struggle icons will discuss their latest books and matters of national interest.
All conversations are free to the public, but attendance must be confirmed in advance through Webtickets. Festivalgoers will receive a booking confirmation on their mobile phones, which must be presented at the entrance to the discussions. The programme is available at suidoosterfees.com.
The conversation series kicks off on Workers’ Day, 1 May, with Netwerk24’s Mia Spies welcoming some of South Africa’s top investigative journalists: Pieter-Louis Myburgh, Karyn Maughan, Jana van der Merwe and Caryn Dolley. These experienced reporters will share insights into the often-dangerous conditions under which they uncover uncomfortable truths and inform the public of serious irregularities.
Karyn Maughan’s book I Will Not Be Silenced has just been released, Caryn Dolley is the author of Man Alone, and Pieter-Louis Myburgh made headlines with Gangster State and The Republic of Gupta. Jana van der Merwe, who has penned several bestselling books, was recently appointed investigative editor at Netwerk24.
Franklin Sonn’s biography, Karooseun van Vosburg, will also be launched. This struggle icon, diplomat and former chancellor of the University of the Free State will engage in conversation with Nico Koopman.
Antjie Krog, one of South Africa’s literary superstars, will discuss her latest book, Die binnerym van bloed, an autobiographical novel exploring her complex and loving relationship with her mother, Dot Serfontein. The book, both moving and often hilarious, is being published simultaneously in Afrikaans and English, with a Dutch translation soon to captivate readers in the Low Countries.
Another autobiography drawing great interest is Jonathan Jansen’s Breaking Bread. The well-known and often controversial education expert – also a former rector of the Free State University – will speak with Lester Kiewit about his childhood on the Cape Flats, the impact of an inspiring teacher on his life, and what it was like to be one of the first in his peer group to attend university.
In Africa on the Global Stage – who are we playing with?, Mandira Bagwandeen will converse with Siphamandla Zondi about Africa’s growing influence in global geopolitics. They will explore questions such as: Should we try to stay in Trump’s good books? Should South Africa take a stronger stance against Russia and be less supportive of the Palestinians? Does the war in the DRC concern us?
Political matters will also take centre stage in discussions like A Love Letter to the Many with Vishwas Satgar and Dinga Sikwebu, and Smuts and Mandela – The men who made South Africa with Roger Southall, Anthony Butler and Imraan Coovadia.
Jeremy Vearey will join Candice Jantjies in discussing his war novel, Crimson Sands, recently published.
Zelda la Grange will share the lessons she learned from former President Nelson Mandela, and in Conversations with a Serial Killer, Brin Hodgskiss and Nicole Engelbrecht will reveal insights from their research for books on serial killers, while Hannes Koekemoer will discuss his criminological investigations in murder cases.
Patric Tariq Mellet will speak about his book on the history of slavery at the Cape, The Truth about Cape Slavery.
Writer and polemicist Bettina Wyngaard will make a long-awaited return to a literary festival as she engages with Siya Khumalo in Op die markplein – waar almal preek, a discussion on the diverse opinions on faith on social media.
Both established and emerging poets and writers will have the opportunity to read their work during Hardop. Ryan Pedro will join wordsmiths like Danie Marais, Paul Kammies, Martina Klopper, Nixon Mateulah, Khadija Tracey Heeger, Kirstin Deane, Sindi Busuku, Keith Lewis, Kabous Meiring, Churchil Naude and the Kaappunters at this vibrant event.
The Foundation for Empowerment through Afrikaans (SBA) will present a discussion on Gayle, the gay-coded language that once allowed users to communicate without fear of imprisonment. Sandra Prinsloo will lead the conversation with flamboyant panellists Cathy Specific, Riaan Visman and Bolla.
Paulet House, the late Jakes Gerwel’s beloved retreat in KwaNojoli, has nurtured writers needing time and space to create stories since 2019. In Paulet House – where stories are born, some of the 160 writers who have crossed this charming home’s threshold will share their experiences. Barbara Boswell, Juliette Mnqeta, Mia Arderne, Sihle Qwabe and Angela Briggs will take the stage.
The role and future of books and bookstores at festivals will be examined in a discussion led by Chareldine van der Merwe with Alma Struwig, Melt Myburgh and Nita Cronjé.
In Printed Media or Digital – how do we interpret the news?, Jody Hendricks will speak with Carryn-Ann Nel, Crystal Orderson and Ryland Fisher about the rapidly changing media landscape and their experiences and perspectives on the state of journalism today.
Ingrid Jones will host Michael Weeder, Frazer Barry, Ilza Roggeband and Asanda Ngoasheng on stage to talk about food matters. Ons komvandaan se kosstories will focus on the role of food in our shared heritage and how it brings people from different backgrounds together.
Farren Cloete, the pastor of Lambertsbaai’s “pink church” and a popular TikTok figure, will be joined by TV and sports presenter Johnny Davids in a discussion with Haidee Muller-Isaacs in Die krag om bo uit te kom. They will share inspiring stories of life’s hardships and recount their journeys from personal detours back to stability.
Books by participating authors will be available for purchase at the venue, and free coffee will be served before and after the sessions.
The Jakes Gerwel Discussion series is presented in collaboration with the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize Fund, Botsotso Books, Imprimatur, Jacana Media, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Klyntji, Maverick 451, the SBA, NB Publishers, Penguin Random House SA, Protea Books, The Obsession Store and Vriende van Afrikaans.
The Suidoosterfees is sponsored by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture; the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport; the City of Cape Town; Netwerk24; Die Burger; NATi; kykNET; the ATKV and Artscape.
