The annual Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) will take place from 16 to 18 May 2025 in Franschhoek. The event will bring together a range of authors, commentators, and creatives for three days of panel discussions, workshops, and cultural engagement.
The programme includes the following sessions:
Discussion Highlights
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Beyond Belief: Koketso Sachane in conversation with Gavin Evans about his memoir Son of a Preacher Man.
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Skop, Skiet en Fauna: Tony Park (The Protector) and Justin Fox (Hell Run Tobruk) discuss action writing with Nancy Richards.
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The Sting of Story: Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane moderates a discussion with Elleke Boehmer (Ice Shock) and Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu (The Creation of Half-Broken People) on fiction and resistance.
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The Heart of the Matter: Jo Watson explores romance writing with Jackie Phamotse, Busisekile Khumalo, and Qarnita Loxton.
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Van TikTok na die Tafel: Najma Abrahams and Azba Fanie discuss their cookbook and TikTok following.
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Nuwe Lewe na ’n Narsis: Susan Booyens interviews Ilse Verster (’n Vrou staan op) on emotional abuse and recovery.
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In the Thirst Person: A panel on writing sex scenes with Busisekile Khumalo, Siya Khumalo, Jo Watson, and moderator Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane.
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Love to Hate You: Tom Eaton and Mary Watson discuss villain development with Danielle Weakley.
Workshops
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Art Writing Workshop: Ashraf Jamal presents a session on writing about African art.
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Romance Writing Workshop: Sarah Bullen offers practical tools for structuring romance fiction and discusses the influence of the “romantasy” genre.
Beyond the books, Franschhoek offers charming vineyards, world-class restaurants, and many cultural attractions. Here are a few activities to consider between Franschhoek Literary Festival sessions:
- Indulge in some of South Africa’s finest wines. The various estates in the area offer tasting experiences to complement the literary atmosphere.
- Enjoy gourmet meals at Reuben’s, Le Petite Ferme, or Le Petit Colombe, where seasonal flavours and expertly crafted dishes provide a perfect post-session indulgence.
- Take a leisurely cycle along the Franschhoek Wine Tram, visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum, or browse artisanal goods at the Village Market.
These are just a few highlights from a programme; the full list can be found online, and tickets can be bought via Webtickets.