Wordfest 2026 takes place on Friday 18 September and Saturday 19 September at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature in Makhanda. Here is the programme.
Friday 18 September
08:50 Welcome: Prof Deyi Mbelani, director ISEA
09:00 Shubnum Khan: The lost love of Akbar Manzil – in conversation with Darryl David
09:30 Sam Montši: Defying barriers
10:00 Makhoala Ndebele & Anton Krueger: The importance of being Thabo
10:30 Tea Break
11:00 Anthony Akerman: Maverick writers – in conversation with Darryl David
11:45 Sheldan Dolf: Poetry
12:00 Mia Arderne: How to stop being a naai – in conversation with Darryl David
12:30 Andile Xaba: Soweto’s theatre of resistance 1984–1994
13:00 Lunch
14:00 James Goddard: Justice, grief, and Christ’s pathways to wholeness
14.30 Okwan Mnqwazi: Leadership: An insignia more enduring
14:45 New Coin
15:00 Rhodes New Voices / Nuwe Stemme: Emma-Jean Stander & Ihan Coetzee
15:30 Roger Lucey: How to build a house in the mountains
Saturday 19 September
08:50 Welcome: Prof Deyi Mbelani, director ISEA
09:00 Bronwyn Law-Viljoen: Notes on falling / The printmaker / Short Story Collection
09:45 Sam Mathe: Tsietsi Mashinini, elusive hero of Soweto
10:15 Zubayr Charles: Haram – in conversation with Darryl David
10.45 Tea Break
11:15 Shane van der Hoven: Kruiper / Crawler – in conversation with Enver Lottering and Marisa Botha
11:45 Makhanda Circle of Unity vs Eastern Cape Department of Education: Cecile van Schalkwyk
12:30 Annemarie van Niekerk: Under a bloodred sky & Die oorkant – in conversation with Anschen Conradie
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Mzi Mahola Tribute: Robert Berold & Mangaliso Buzani
14:30 Darryl Earl David: Doggone Days
15:00 Rhodes New Voices / Nuwe Stemme: Lusanda Luciano Witbooi & Enver Lottering
15.30 Mphuthumi Ntabeni: Multitudes
16:00 Amanene the Gents Vocal Group: Musical
Venue:
Amazwi South African Museum of Literature
25A Worcester St, Makhanda, 6139