Open Book Festival 2025: a celebration of African Literature

The Open Book Festival, a beacon of literary celebration in South Africa, has unveiled an electrifying lineup for its 2025 edition, promising three days filled with essential conversations, performances, and community engagement. As the festival seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding of contemporary issues through literary dialogue, it is set to welcome both familiar names and fresh talent from across South Africa and the broader African continent.

This year’s programme showcases returning Festival favourites such as the formidable Pumla Dineo Gqola, acclaimed authors Mohale Mashigo and Maneo Mohale, and rising stars Zizipho Bam, Lesedi Molefi, Sven Axelrad, and Siphokazi Jonas. Among the enriching new voices joining the Open Book family are Andile Cele, Nadia Cassim, Popina Khumanda, and Sarah Uheida, all set to bring their unique perspectives to the festival.

International presence will further enhance the event’s profile, with notable authors such as Zimbabwe’s Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nigerian-born Foluso Agbaje, and Ugandan writer Goretti Kyomuhendo participating through the festival’s collaboration with Littlegig. The African Literary Cities Project will also contribute brilliant minds like Rémy Ngamije from Namibia, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf from Nigeria, and James Murua from Kenya, making the festival a melting pot of literary cultures.

Festival organiser, Frankie Murrey, expressed her excitement over the incredible response to the event.

“The response has been incredible and shows how much this festival means to our community,” she said. “We’re still accepting contributions as we work toward our sustainability target, because this festival isn’t just about this year—it’s about ensuring these vital conversations continue for years to come.” Currently, the crowdfunding campaign has raised R383 210 against a target of R500 000, reflecting the community's investment in the future of the festival.

This year’s festival will combine beloved traditions with initiatives aimed at addressing contemporary challenges. Expect to see returning favourites like “Conversations with Mohale,” “Up Close with Maneo,” and the audience-engaging “Writersports,” along with fresh poetry readings and theatrical performances. Central themes of mental health, identity, and reimagining masculinity will be explored, ensuring the programme resonates on multiple levels with festival-goers.

“We’re not just hosting conversations—we’re holding space,” Murrey continued. “In a world that feels increasingly fraught, we’re creating opportunities for our community to find strength in each other, to support and celebrate, and to discover moments of joy.” The festival aims to foster dialogue about the issues that matter most to contemporary South Africa and the continent at large.

The 2025 Open Book Festival is made possible through various sponsorships and partnerships, with significant support from the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and several prominent publishers and organisations, including Jonathan Ball Publishers and Penguin Random House.

As literary enthusiasts gear up for this remarkable event, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a transformative experience, merging literature and activism in dynamic ways.