Litnet

How do we know who we are? Upending the reader’s expectations of a memoir, Whyle then explores the violence and madness of apartheid society as the narrator passes through boarding school and university and takes his first steps to become a writer. ... At the end of history, on the shores of a blue bay, the voices of the past can be heard as we await the arrival of the barbarians – or the baboons, whoever comes first.

"Pastoral ornaments is more than an exhibition – it is an immersive experience. It captures the raw power and delicate balance of nature while reflecting the artist’s role as a shamanic figure, channelling energy into works that speak directly to our souls."

"But the main reason I do it is to see the joy on children’s faces. ... That unadulterated smaaail is because you’ve just gifted a young child a book. Entrance is free!"

"Vir Suid-Afrikaners bied 21 Voices ’n spieël vir hul eie verlede en ’n uitdaging vir die hede. Dit vra: Hoe kan ons, wat internasionale steun tydens apartheid ontvang het, nou solidêr wees met ander?"

Historical inequality affects entrepreneurship too. Knowledge and resources are still concentrated. Raymond Ledwaba is the founder and CEO of ITTHYNK Gaming and the co-founder of Diski Nine9. He successfully migrated from a career in banking to a life of entrepreneurship. Having not been exposed to a start-up environment, this was a plunge into the unknown. Read an excerpt here.

Die LitNet-redaksie nooi mense uit om vir ons te skryf oor dinge in die lewe wat gek is. Dit kan oor enigiets gaan: hoe absurd die prys van brood is, of hoe snaaks dit lyk as sekere mans snorre kweek, of watter regerings aan bewind is, of hoe vergesog dit is wat in verskillende wêrelddele aan die gang is – of net eenvoudig iets snaaks, ’n onverwagse of humoristiese staaltjie wat jy met die res van ons lesers wil deel. 

Do you sometimes worry that you have to choose a single career, discarding the bits of you that do not serve it? Read the useful tips Chantal Stewart has shared for sustaining creativity in the midst of a busy working life and let them feed your own creative fires.

Empatheatre’s electrifying and highly acclaimed Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater a one-woman show brought to life by Mpume Mthombeni and theatre-maker Neil Coppen, comes to the Baxter Flipside from 9 to 19 April 2025, at 19:30 with matinees at 14:00.

Penny Haw is bekend vir boeke wat sterk, interessante en onafhanklike vroue uitbeeld, met ’n ruim verkenning van die onderlinge verbondenheid van alles wat lewe. Dit is ons plesier om haar op 9 April in Jannie se Leeskamer te verwelkom vir die bekendstelling van haar derde historiese roman, Follow me to Africa. Sluit by ons aan vir hierdie bekroonde skrywer se gesprek met Eva Mazza.

The highly anticipated Tony Award-winning A doll’s house, part 2 with Bianca Amato and Zane Meas comes to the Baxter Studio from 16 April to 10 May.

"While apartheid in South Africa may have been banished, 'apartheid' – separateness – is seeking to stretch its hideous tendrils around the globe. We seem to be retreating into spaces too small, surrounding ourselves with those who are seemingly similar."

"Will you now share your space with all the great writers you so admired and loved."

You are invited to an exclusive launch of The lucky ones by Alistair Mackay at The Book Lounge in Cape Town on 8 April 2025. You’ll be able to get your hands on a copy before anyone else. Plus, you can get your book signed by the author, who will be in discussion with Kelly Smith.

"Drummers almost never ply their trade for just one project, and Jean is no different, but he made a choice long ago that music would be both muse and arbitrator of his reality."

"The loss of spaces designed to cultivate and encourage free expression is arguably the main reason for the decline of the spoken word community as a transformational literary force. But how did slam end up monopolising the spoken word scene?"

In 1913, a secretive American millionaire, who lived on the top floor of the famous Carlton Hotel, had a crazy idea: to make movies in Johannesburg. Hollywood on the Veld is the never-been-told-before story of the rise and fall of the strangest and most unique movie empire ever.

"This was my first time ever attending a book festival conducted in all the official languages of the Western Cape (English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, but mostly Xhosa). The main objectives of the Ibuyambo Book Festival are to revitalise, preserve and promote indigenous languages of the Western Cape. It made me extremely proud."

The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, often referred to as the "Oscars" of Cape Town’s theatre industry, celebrated their 60th year in spectacular fashion at a glamorous ceremony at DHL Cape Town Stadium on Sunday, 23 March. Winners across 23 categories were honoured for their outstanding contributions to the performing arts, both on and off the stage.

"It is pertinent that UCT chose the month of March, when we celebrate Human Rights, to make this long overdue announcement about adding Xhosa as one of its official languages. Globally, throughout the United Nations, the protection of minor or native languages is an urgent human rights issue. South African indigenous languages are not minority but majority languages, yet they’re still suppressed, especially by the hegemonic preference for English."

"But, as creatives, we should also be cognisant of who has access both to practise and to enjoy this right. Like with all other rights – healthcare, education, food, security, etc – it is those of us with resources, education and networks who are best able to enjoy these rights, as we have the capacity to pay for these to be delivered privately if government fails."