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Open Book Podcast

Open Book Podcast

By Open Book

A limited series presents a taste of the incredible conversations characteristic of the Open Book Festival.
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Trailer: Open Book Podcast 2021

Open Book PodcastNov 02, 2021

00:00
01:40
OBF2023: Black and Female

OBF2023: Black and Female

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this event, Lebohang Masango, Thandiwe Ntshinga and Sue Nyamnjoh talk to Dela Gwala about navigating postcolonial reality.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Nov 14, 202358:60
OBF2023: Heritage Politics

OBF2023: Heritage Politics

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this event, Tessa Dooms, Nadia Kamies and Patric Tariq Mellet speak to Lester Kiewit about grappling with the past to imagine a future.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Nov 14, 202301:11:25
OBF2023: Coming of Age

OBF2023: Coming of Age

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Marina Auer, Diane Awerbuck and Moshitadi Lehlomela speak to Sara-Jayne Makwala King about the vulnerabilities of young women.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Nov 02, 202358:51
OBF2023: Queerness and Cape Town

OBF2023: Queerness and Cape Town

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Zoey Black, Maneo Mohale and Manila von Teez explore Cape Town's "queer capital" claims in the company of Lwando Scott.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Nov 02, 202359:23
OBF2023: Reimagining Rituals

OBF2023: Reimagining Rituals

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

Hugo ka Canham, Maneo Mohale and Jarred Thompson speak to Pumla Dineo Gqola about finding new ways to live.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Nov 01, 202301:12:17
OBF2023: The Performance of Normal

OBF2023: The Performance of Normal

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Sarah Isaacs, Wisani Mushwana and Gail Schimmel speak to Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni about the pervasive impacts of shame.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Nov 01, 202358:03
OBF2023: Enduring Connections

OBF2023: Enduring Connections

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Sven Axelrad, Sam Beckbessinger and Busisekile Khumalo speak to Daniella Djan about complex friendships.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 31, 202301:07:08
OBF2023: Motivations for Writing

OBF2023: Motivations for Writing

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

Athambile Masola, Nombeko Nontshokweni and Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, speak to Pumelela Nqelenga about writing to fill in gaps, unsilence and heal.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 31, 202359:58
OBF2023: Acts of War

OBF2023: Acts of War

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Andrew Brown, Craig Higginson and Farai Mudzingwa speak to Ziyanda Stuurman about the impact on the people who have to fight.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 31, 202301:09:18
OBF2023: Nobuntu

OBF2023: Nobuntu

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

This is Q&A session with Nombeko and Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni that followed the screening of Nobuntu, the personal journey of a daughter who helps her mother fulfill a life-long dream to publish a treasured 40-year-old manuscript.
This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

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Oct 30, 202346:40
OBF2023: Based on Truth

OBF2023: Based on Truth

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Craig Higginson, Wanjiru Koinange and David Ralph Viviers speak to Christy Weyer about blending research and fiction and blurring boundaries between past and present.


This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 30, 202301:02:17
OBF2023: Cape Town City Stories | African Cities as Text

OBF2023: Cape Town City Stories | African Cities as Text

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.
In this event, Caryn Dolley, Patric Tariq Mellet and Chase Rhys speak to Barbara Boswell about writing the memories and (sub)cultures of Cape Town. Brought to you by the African Literary Cities Project.
This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
Oct 27, 202301:05:02
OBF2023: Constructed Identities

OBF2023: Constructed Identities

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Lynsey Ebony Chutel, Thandiwe Ntshinga and Pieter Odendaal speak to Nadia Sanger about the roots of racial identity in South Africa.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 26, 202357:00
OBF2023: Fracture

OBF2023: Fracture

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this event, Sarah Lubala, Maneo Mohale and Uhuru Phalafala talk to Nondwe Mpuma about finding words to speak about the shatterings of life.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 26, 202359:53
OBF2023: Compelled to Speak

OBF2023: Compelled to Speak

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

Festival Coordinator, Frankie Murrey, is forced on stage by Mervyn Sloman to talk about her exquisite collection of short stories.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 26, 202359:47
OBF2023: Collecting the Words

OBF2023: Collecting the Words

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Diane Awerbuck, Sue Nyamnjoh and Zibu Sithole speak to Karina Szczurek about their writing journeys.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 25, 202358:19
OBF2023: Surviving Masculinity

OBF2023: Surviving Masculinity

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Sipho Banda, Hugo ka Canham and Morabo Morojele speak to Koketso Sachane about changing the narrative.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 24, 202301:02:06
OBF2023: Connecting to the Self

OBF2023: Connecting to the Self

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Nadia Kamies, Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu and David Ralph Viviers speak to Wamuwi Mbao about the need to find the past in order to find oneself.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 24, 202301:00:54
OBF2023: The Way of Water

OBF2023: The Way of Water

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this event, Ron Irwin, Farai Mudzingwa and Marita van der Vyver speak to John Maytham about the significance of water in their novels.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 24, 202358:44
OBF2023: Teamwork

OBF2023: Teamwork

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this event, Sam Beckbessinger & Dale Halvorsen and Qarnita Loxton & Gail Schimmel speak to Kelly Smith about the ins and outs of collaborative writing.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 24, 202359:18
OBF2023: Feminist Imaginings

OBF2023: Feminist Imaginings

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.
In this event, Pumla Dineo Gqola, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah and Hilda Twongyeirwe imagine the intergenerational communication of the future in the company of Mbali Sikakana.
This event is in collaboration with the NRF SARChI Chair in African Feminist Imagination at Nelson Mandela University.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
Oct 23, 202301:34:13
OBF2023: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

OBF2023: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, John Maytham talks to Mills Soko about scenario planning and influencing the future.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 23, 202301:01:54
OBF2023: Conversations with Mohale

OBF2023: Conversations with Mohale

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In the annual event hosted by Mohale Mashigo, Pumla Dineo Gqola, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Lebohang Masango and Maneo Mohale speak sex, pleasure and consent.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 23, 202301:39:39
OBF2023: Queering the Page

OBF2023: Queering the Page

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Wisani Mushwana, SJ Naude and Pieter Odendaal speak to Branden Grant about queerness and masculinity.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.


Oct 23, 202301:06:35
OBF2023: Poets in Conversation

OBF2023: Poets in Conversation

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

This platform offers the poets an opportunity to consider their experiences following the Hear My Voice Poetry Retreat, and respond to the query, "What does collaboration entail in the face of contemporary issues?"

Curated by Hear My Voice with support from the delegation of Flanders: Embassy of Belgium and Göteborgs Litteraturhus.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 20, 202301:04:30
OBF2023: The Future of Publishing

OBF2023: The Future of Publishing

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In the context of a drastically weaker rand, loadshedding woes and concerns about representation, Mervyn Sloman talks to Eugene Ashton (JB), Mbali Sikakana (NB) and Karina Szczurek (Karavan) about their thoughts and plans for the future.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 20, 202301:14:56
OBF2023: The Mother Wound

OBF2023: The Mother Wound

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

Megan Choritz, Moshitadi Lehlomela and Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu speak to Buhle Ngaba about damaged mothers, wounded daughters and the possibilities of healing.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 20, 202301:00:31
OBF2023: Post-apartheid Universities

OBF2023: Post-apartheid Universities

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this conversation, Jaco Barnard-Naude, Desiree Lewis and Joel Modiri speak to Barbara Boswell about improving the university experience for all.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 19, 202301:07:21
OBF2023: Writing the Natural World

OBF2023: Writing the Natural World

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Isobel Dixon, Pieter Odendaal and Bridget Pitt explore spiritual connections to the land in the company of Kanya Viljoen.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 18, 202301:01:50
OBF2023: Striving for Social Equity

OBF2023: Striving for Social Equity

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. This event launches a crucial collection of essays, Striving for Social Equity. Here, co-editor Joy Watson is in conversation with contributors Irvin Kinds, Sinelizwi Ncaluka and Cassandra Roxburgh

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 18, 202301:05:04
OBF2023: Desiring Urbanity in African Literature | African Cities as Text

OBF2023: Desiring Urbanity in African Literature | African Cities as Text

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Farai Mudzingwa, Wisani Mushwana and Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah speak to Mapule Mohulatsi about African cities as spaces of reinvention and desire. Brought to you by the African Literary Cities Project as part of the African Cities as Text series.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 18, 202359:46
OBF2023: The Banality of Violence

OBF2023: The Banality of Violence

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Nechama Brodie, Caryn Dolley and Morabo Morojele explore the normalisation of pervasive violence in the company of Erin Bates

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 18, 202359:09
OBF2023: Unpacking the National Strategic Plan

OBF2023: Unpacking the National Strategic Plan

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this conversation, Jeanne Bodenstein and Nechama Brodie speak to Joy Watson about the successes and failures of the National Strategic Plan on gender based violence and femicide.
This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
Oct 17, 202301:06:58
OBF2023: Open Talk

OBF2023: Open Talk

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Hugo ka Canham, Lebohang Masango, Thandiwe Ntshinga and Uhuru Phalafala present insights into living in a world designed for white comfort. MC: Pumla Dineo Gqola.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 17, 202301:07:31
OBF2023: The First Woman

OBF2023: The First Woman

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi speaks to Wanjiru Koinange about her latest novel.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 17, 202358:58
OBF2023: Vulnerable Bodies

OBF2023: Vulnerable Bodies

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this discussion, Dawn Garisch, Busisekile Khumalo and SJ Naudé speak to Joy Watson about approaching death and grief.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 16, 202351:25
OBF2023: The Promise

OBF2023: The Promise

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. Damon Galgut and Sylvaine Strike speak to Africa Melane about the process of getting 'The Promise' from page to stage.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 16, 202301:03:42
OBF2023: Extraordinary Lives

OBF2023: Extraordinary Lives

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. Desiree Ellis, Sindiwe Magona and Patric Tariq Mellet speak to Firdose Moonda about overcoming the horrendous impact of apartheid.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 16, 202301:00:59
OBF2022: Sifting Through the Past

OBF2022: Sifting Through the Past

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion CA Davids, Khadija Heeger and Bronwyn Law-Viljoen speak to Yewande Omotoso about history and identity.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 20, 202201:04:20
OBF2022: Proximity of Death

OBF2022: Proximity of Death

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Terry-Ann Adams, Melinda Ferguson and Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase speak to Koketso Sachane about living through loss

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 20, 202201:04:15
OBF2022: Queer Journeys

OBF2022: Queer Journeys

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Dianne du Toit Albertze, Herman Lategan and Welcome Mandla Lishiva talk to Azille Coetzee about movement and safety.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 19, 202201:10:26
OBF2022: Feminist Imaginings

OBF2022: Feminist Imaginings

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Gertrude Fester, Pumla Dineo Gqola and Margie Orford speak to Ashanti Kunene about the importance of creativity as a driver for change and a tool of resilience.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 19, 202201:05:22
OBF2022: Absent Fathers

OBF2022: Absent Fathers

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Fred Khumalo, Pulane Mpondo and Kopano Ratele speak to Christopher Ouma about the impact of fatherlessness.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 18, 202201:02:48
OBF2022: Value and Visibility

OBF2022: Value and Visibility

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Dianne Du Toit Albertze, Chase Rhys and Lester Walburgh discuss the politics of being seen with Nelleke de Jager.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 18, 202259:00
OBF2022: Disconnection, Displacement and Loss

OBF2022: Disconnection, Displacement and Loss

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Lucas Ledwaba, Bulelwa Mabasa and Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon centre people in this conversation exploring the impact of landlessness and forced removals. It is chaired by Ruth Hall.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 17, 202201:06:01
OBF2022: Transformative Moments

OBF2022: Transformative Moments

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Welcome Mandla Lishivha, Onke Mazibuko and Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu speak to Lester Kiewit about agency, identity and performance.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 17, 202201:07:52
OBF2022: Director's Cut

OBF2022: Director's Cut

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Andrew Brown, Qarnita Loxton and Onke Mazibuko chat all things book related with Festival Director, Mervyn Sloman.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 14, 202201:06:07
OBF2022: Women and the Media

OBF2022: Women and the Media

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Caryn Dolley, Karyn Maughan and Refilwe Moloto talk to Rebecca Davis about the specific challenges facing female journalists

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 13, 202259:06
OBF2022: Memoir and the Missing Past

OBF2022: Memoir and the Missing Past

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Gertrude Fester, Bulelwa Mabasa and Herman Lategan speak to Max du Preez about journeying back to document gaps in search of healing.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 13, 202201:02:27
OBF2022: Mothers and Daughters

OBF2022: Mothers and Daughters

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Pulane Mpondo, Yewande Omotoso and Margie Orford unpick mother-daughter relationships in the company of Joy Watson.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Oct 13, 202201:00:43