English
Bookmark this page for the latest LitNet features in English.
Hennie van Coller’s politicisation of children’s literature polemic
2022-07-25"So to Anne-Marie Beukes. Rather than distance yourself from Van Coller’s article, which is inconclusive on the allegations of homophobic tendencies, in my humble opinion, distance yourself from the Snow White storyline of the organisation you head up."
Press release: A collage of African and Western opera music
2022-07-22A collage of African and Western opera music compositions: Qinisela Sibisi, Kwanele Jona, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Giuseppe Verdi, performed by the crème de la crème of South Africa’s opera singers.
Press release: Four fathers: bananas for the baboons, a brand new South African play
2022-07-21At The Baxter from 3 to 20 August 2022. Here is more information.
Press release: UJ Prizes for creative writing in isiZulu and Sesotho sa Leboa and for literary translation
2022-07-20Well done to Ntombenhle Dlamini, Khayelihle Mnguni, Sandile Ngwenya, Mplang Masha, Phineas Mashilo, Kholofelo Thaba, Mahlatsi Maqwenjo and SJ Naudé.
Pawn stars
2022-07-20"Sometimes first to fall
sometimes hang on through it all
Sometimes, somehow
they even make the final call"
Reguit met Robinson: A conversation with John Simpson from BBC News
2022-07-20What is Boris Johnson's legacy? What lies ahead for British politics, society and foreign policy? Freek Robinson interviews John Simpson, world affairs editor of BBC News.
When we want success for ourselves, we must want success for others
2022-07-19"Izzart removed the laces of the sneakers and washed them separately. He tapped lukewarm water into a transparent bowl and generously sprayed TopShelf Sneaker Cleaner product on various targeted areas – everything done with precision."
Press release from the prize committee: Winner of the Ingrid Jonker Prize for English poetry 2022
2022-07-18The winner of the Ingrid Jonker Prize for English poetry 2022 was just announced.
Joy of Books: A new literary festival in East London
2022-07-14"The aim of the festival is to bring people who love reading, books and storytelling together. We aim to create a positive space to celebrate all things literary, to encourage and inspire others to share their passion and creativity."
Press release: SA International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) welcomes international judges & competitors to Artscape – first time in 2 years
2022-07-13The forthcoming South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) is delighted to be able to once again welcome capacity audiences and international judges and competitors in person to the beautiful Artscape Opera House from 25 to 30 July 2022.The hybrid SAIBC 2022 is open to the public. Advance booking is highly recommended.
Centenary of the 1922 Bondelswarts Uprising
2022-07-13"This year marks the centenary of the Bondelswarts Uprising in Namibia – then South West Africa – between late May and early June 1922, and its prompt crushing, which resulted in Jan Smuts’s British Empire-supporting South African Party government attracting significant national and international criticism. What drew attention was the manner of this historically Nama group’s suppression ... This tragic episode followed a long history of fierce Bondelswart resistance against intrusion into their independence."
Boris: Hero to zero in three years
2022-07-13"So, what went wrong? A number of unfortunate coincidences, probably. Most notably, being a man whose reputation as a true libertarian in the John Stuart Mill mould was established, he himself fell foul of too much libertarianism when it entered the sphere of his own life, which, when he became prime minister, made his private behaviour a public spectacle."
Somerset East and the Walter Battiss Museum: an interview with Ros Turner
2022-07-10"Battiss is a huge subject! Briefly, he was born in Somerset East in 1906 and became South Africa’s best abstract artist. He is still considered to be our best water colour artist."
So long Boris and thanks for nothing
2022-07-08"That’s why over the past three days, 28 ministers of his government resigned and joined by another 33 deputy ministers and other high-level officials."
Press release: Once on this island at the Baxter
2022-07-06Tony Award-winning musical, Once on this island by Wela Kapela Productions, is at the Baxter Flipside from 8 to 16 July.
Bargain Books competition: Win a copy of Deception by Lesley Pearse
2022-07-06Bargain Books is giving away a copy of the novel Deception. Lesley Pearse is their author of the month.
Family life
2022-07-06"This is the end of the family
who once lived in the house.
And the end is otherwise quiet"
The African Library: The Jungo: Stakes of the earth by Abdel Aziz Baraka Sakin
2022-07-05"The narrative of The Jungo is not a tale of victory, either, but an extremely interesting one, and the people known by this name do remain unbowed despite hardship."
Bargain Books competition: Win a copy of our new author of the month
2022-07-05Bargain Books is giving away a copy of The measure by Nikki Erlick.
Author in residence: Mia Arderne
2022-07-05"Writing is usually such a solitary thing, and it can get lonely. So, being surrounded by other writers has been amazing. Being in a space where six of us are together and working, feels like I'm part of a community of artists where we can share our processes and our progress."
