In addition to a variety of interesting literary talks, socio-politcal discussion, poetry performances, film screenings and live music, there's also a gourmet food and wine market, loads of new and second-hand books on sale and lots of impressive contemporary sculptures from this year's Winter Sculpture Fair to admire.
Some of the many highlights on the inaugural Nirox Words programme include:
Talks and discussions
Sat Oct 2110:30 Imagine If talk with Lauren Beukes and Fred Strydom
Novelists Lauren Beukes and Fred Strydom discuss the creation of new worlds in fiction, looking at the rise of speculative fiction (an umbrella genre that includes narrative fiction with supernatural and futuristic elements).
11:00–12:30 Tutu Fellowship Talks
A series of discussions led by the Tutu Fellowship themed around forgiveness, hope, joy and goodness.
13:00 Bongani Madondo, Bibi Slippers & Steven Boykey Sidley Who tells stories best?
Multi-disciplinary storytellers discuss film, poetry, photography and literature in the canon of expression.
Sun 22 Oct
11:30 Is Fake News real, or just a fake?
Top South African investigative news agency AmaBhungane discuss fake news.
14:30 Celebrating Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Talk with Achmat Dangor and Verne Harris
Head archivist at the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Centre of Memory and Dialogue Verne Harris and Booker prize-nominated author Achmat Dangor unpack Nelson Mandela’s unfinished memoir Dare Not Linger.
Performances
Sat Oct 2112:30 Wordless Shakespeare by Arjun Raina
Using the ancient Indian dance art form Kathakali, actor Arjun Raina interprets Shakespeare’s Othello.
Sat Oct 21 and Sun Oct 22
Emperor Shaka the Great by Mazisi Kunene
A series of poetry, dance and musical performances based on excerpts from Mazisi Kunene’s epic poem Emperor Shaka the Great, which has recently been re-released in its original isiZulu version. Performers include poet, dancer and singer Jessica Mbangeni.
Pop-up restaurants
Sat Oct 2113:00 The Tradition Food and Book Fusion with Anna Trapido, Mpho Tshukudu and Hope Malau
Writer, chef and food anthropologist Anna Trapido and dietician Mpho Tshukudu share recipes from their 2016 cookbook Eat Ting, which focuses on healthy eating using traditional South African ingredients. Sample authentic South African cuisine while learning how food shapes cultural identity. Tickets R195 per person here.
Sat Oct 21 and Sun Oct 22
Leafy Greens Café Food and Book Fusion with Jane Griffiths and Antonia de Luca
British poet, literary historian and organic food goddess Jane Griffiths joins restauranteur Antonia de Luca of Muldersdrift’s Leafy Greens Café for a vegan feast. Expand your recipe repertoire and learn more about organic gardening at one of three buffet sittings. Tickets R375 per person here.
Live music
Sat Oct 2110:30 King of Zulu Guitar by Madala Kunene
Discovered by celebrated jazz musician Sipho Gumede, self-taught guitar maestro Kunene has shared stages with icons like Hugh Masekela and Busi Mhlongo earning himself the title 'King of Zulu Guitar'.
17:00 Music for the people by the people with the people by BCUC
Sowetan afro-psychedelic seven-piece band BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) tells the tale of their band, tracing their roots and plotting their future. Challenging the statement that relevant indigenous music is a thing of the past, BCUC presents their multi-lingual “indigenous funky soul”.
Sun Oct 22
11:00 The Urban Village Songs from Miriam Makeba
Homage to ground-breaking singer, actor, United Nations goodwill ambassador and human rights activist.
14:00 Poems by Ingrid Jonker by Chris Chameleon
Eccentric musician and guitarist Chris Chameleon presents his own personal musical composition of the poetry of Afrikaans poet Ingrid Jonker.
16:00 Tidal waves - songs from Bob Marley
The roots reggae outfit pay homage to the Jamaican activist, humanitarian, poet and reggae legend.
Poetry
Sat Oct 2114:30 Celebrating the winner of The Sol Plaatje Award 2018
Named after founder member and the first General Secretary of the ANC Solomon Thekisho Plaatje (who was also the first black South African to write a novel in English), the prestigious Sol Plaatje Award celebrates South African poetry. The winners of the 2018 award will be announced here at the festival.
16:00 Poetry for sundowners
A late afternoon poetry showcase with performances and readings by five poets including Afrikaans poet Bibi Slippers, Sol Plaatje Award winner for 2016 Athol Williams and award-winning actress, writer and performance poet Lebo Mashile.
Sun Oct 22
15:00 Poetry reading by Athol Williams
The Sol Plaatje Award winner for 2016 and Nirox sculpture park poet-in-residence Athol Williams shares his award-winning workStreetclass Diseases.
Film
Sat Oct 2119:00 Inxeba Outdoor Screening
A powerful new drama set in rural South Africa, Inxeba has been described by The Economist as “An unflinching examination of sexuality, masculinity and cultural identity”.
Kids
Sat Oct 21 and Sun Oct 2210:30, 12:30, 14:30 Malaika and the Angel by Swaady Martin
Malaika is a normal young girl with a big secret; she can see the spiritual world. When Rafiki her guardian angel arrives, Malaika goes on an epic journey that will change her life forever.
Sat Oct 21 and Sun Oct 22
11:30, 13:30 Magical stories for kids
Anti-apartheid activist, director, author and much loved storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe helps kids learn about the indigenous stories of South Africa in this enthralling multi-lingual story-time session.
