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Seen elsewhere: I was at the Etienne van Heerden Veldsoirée

Luna Paige Etienne van Heerden Veldsoirée 2025-07-31

"I will return to the Veldsoirée because it serves this purpose. It is a safe space for expression, sharing of knowledge and engagement with people smart, critical and open to dialogue."

Press release: Cape Town Opera presents Rossini’s The Barber of Seville at Theatre on the Bay, directed by Sylvaine Strike

LitNet Lifestyle and entertainment 2025-07-29

Cape Town Opera brings Rossini’s beloved comic masterpiece The Barber of Seville to Theatre on the Bay from 5 to 17 August 2025 in a vibrant new production directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Sylvaine Strike.

Seen elsewhere: The best Veldsoirée

Melissa Riordan Etienne van Heerden Veldsoirée 2025-07-29

"We are so blessed to live in a country with minds like the ones encountered here."

Short.Sharp.Stories anthology Power: interview with Yuwinn Kraukamp, author of "The Department of Small Reparations"

Consuelo Roland, Yuwinn Kraukamp Books and writers 2025-07-28

"As for escapism, the literary world has always been an excellent, reliable form of escape. Not only can you lose yourself in a riveting scene in the right chapter, but that form of escape also happens to expand your mind with words you’ve never encountered (and have to google), perspectives you’ve never considered – with a new world of intellectual curiosities."

Yes for national dialogue, but don’t forget municipal services

Chris Heymans Opinion 2025-07-24

"Significant reform and skills improvement are needed if more deterioration in service delivery and public trust is to be avoided, but the political obstacles to municipal reform are significant. Many municipalities experience regular turnovers of mayors and senior officials, often due to party infighting, especially within coalitions."

Short.Sharp.Stories anthology Power: interview with Cynthia Kistasamy, author of "Kameel and the firecracker dog"

Joanne Hichens, Cynthia Kistasamy Books and writers 2025-07-23

"Humour, in my story, was used as a tool to lighten what could otherwise be considered a volatile social issue, while still taking the bull by the horns."

An interview with Emma Sadleir about the landmark court order against Meta – and some important social media advice

Naomi Meyer, Emma Sadleir Interviews 2025-07-23

"[I]f you wouldn’t put it on a billboard, you should not let it exist in digital format. Digital content is vulnerable content; it is dangerous content, it can be recorded, it can be shared."

Stefaans Coetzee chats to Gareth Crocker

Stefaans Coetzee, Gareth Crocker Books and writers 2025-07-17

"I love humour in books. Especially the 'tongue-in-cheek' variety. There’s even more to come in book two. I think it’s important to balance some of the darker aspects of the thriller genre with moments of levity."

Short.Sharp.Stories: Interview with Anna Stroud, author of "The power station"

Lynn Joffe, Anna Stroud Books and writers 2025-07-17

"I can’t claim a moral high ground; for that I am too flawed, too contradictory. I suppose something I’ve been thinking about a lot is that empires fall – and how right now feels like the end of something."

Cliff-hanger: The comrade’s wife by Barbara Boswell – a book review

Cliffordene Norton Books and writers 2025-07-17

"The comrade’s wife isn’t just a powerful novel, but a necessary one. It interrogates power, silence, gender, race and survival with the tenderness of a friend and the clarity of a scholar. No notes. Just awe."

Press release: this bra’s a pyscho on at the Artscape Theatre

LitNet Lifestyle and entertainment 2025-07-16

In his search for love and healing through dating apps, things take a dark turn – ending him becoming a serial killer and partaking in a chilling killing spree.

China’s expanding security engagements in Africa

Fanie Herman Opinion 2025-07-14

"African democracy advocates, civil society and media professionals generally do not share their governments’ enthusiasm for Chinese security engagements, citing the widespread abuse of Chinese policing and mass surveillance systems. China is also frequently criticised for its regime-centric strategy, which many African observers believe entrenches authoritarian practices. African civil societies play a crucial role in scrutinising these security relationships to ensure they advance citizen interests."

Invitation: Book launch of Behind prison walls by Edwin Cameron, Rebecca Gore and Sohela Surajpal in Cape Town, 24 July 2025

LitNet Books and writers 2025-07-14

Khomotso Moshikaro will be in conversation with Edwin Cameron, Rebecca Gore and Sohela Surajpal at the book launch of Behind prison walls: Unlocking a safer South Africa at The Book Lounge in Cape Town on 24 July at 17:30 for 18:00.

Seen elsewhere: I have asked ChatGPT to predict Ramaphosa’s address

Ismail Mahomed Opinion 2025-07-13

"This is not the time for panic. It is the time for calm, for resolve, and for clarity. Let us remember who we are: a people who have faced down tyranny before."

Seen elsewhere: PT Mtuze cannot die, his words live on

Siphiwo Mahala In memoriam 2025-07-13

"His body of work cuts across genres — novels, short stories, drama, essays, poetry, biographical writings as well as translations."

Man versus machine: A new revolt against Mount Olympus?

Frederik de Jager Opinion 2025-07-10

"The scale of AI-generated books is as staggering as that of music. One estimate puts the number of such titles already in the hundreds of thousands, particularly in the US, China and Japan."

Strengthening the shield: Why South Africa must stand with commissioner Mkhwanazi against corruption and cartels

Mphuthumi Ntabeni Opinion 2025-07-08

"The implications are stark. If those entrusted with the highest ranks of law enforcement cannot operate without fear or favour because they fear political retaliation, then our entire criminal justice system is endangered."

Can South Africa’s Government of National Unity mend a fractured democracy?

Mphuthumi Ntabeni Opinion 2025-07-03

"Coalition politics is not about ideological triumph, but deliverable results – rebuilding Eskom, fixing Transnet, unclogging ports, revitalising public education, etc. These are tasks that transcend partisan lines. No coalition can function without a competent, apolitical bureaucracy. A phased, legally mandated Skills and Integrity Audit of senior civil servants, overseen by the Public Service Commission, should be launched, with clear benchmarks, retraining and regular reviews."

The Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival of 2025

Izak de Vries Books and writers 2025-07-02

"Where better to hold an annual literary festival than in the gorgeously, dare one say courageously, restored story street in that remarkable little Karoo town and in the very hotel in which both Schreiner and Mark Twain spent time?"

Short.Sharp.Stories anthology Power: interview with Vuyokazi Ngemntu, author of "The cost of freedom"

Lynn Joffe, Vuyokazi Ngemntu Books and writers 2025-07-01

"In a world where 1% of the population have a monopoly on economic and, by extension, political power, the general masses suffer under the weight of inequality. What we do have are our voices."

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