Gaborone Book Festival returns

•       announces authors for the second annual book festival edition

The Gaborone Book Festival (GBF) Trust is delighted to announce it’s 
list of  featured and confirmed authors for the second annual book 
festival edition. The primary objective of the Gaborone Book Festival 
Trust is to encourage Batswana to read, give Batswana authors platforms 
where they can showcase their work and facilitate an environment where 
they can meet new readers, publishers, booksellers and network with 
other invited authors from across the continent and beyond.

From Botswana, the confirmed authors and guests are; TJ Dema, Brilliant 
Kodie, Rachel Nekati, Donald Molosi, Bonty Botumile, Sam Chapi, Onica 
Lenkutwane, Bakang Baloi, Lauri Kubuitsile ,Nelson Letswene and Abigail 
Mwikisa
The guest authors from across the continent are; Prof. Pumla Dineo 
Qqola, Nanjala Nyobola, Odafe Atogun, Lerato Mogoatlhe, Rosie Motene, PJ 
Mofokeng and Siya Khumalo.

“The 19th of September, which will be the first day of the festival will 
be a very special day for over 50 Batswana women who have contributed 
their literary works in the Botswana Women Write anthology which will be 
exclusively launched that evening. This is an important piece of work 
and its the first of its kind anthology that’s being released focusing 
on Batswana women writers,” says co-founder Keikantse Phele

Keikantse further said this year’s festival will focus on issues amongst 
them rape, LGBQTI+, politics, heritage and pride, the African education 
system, wellness and music, drawing on both fiction and non-fiction 
books. As such authors and guests have been drawn based on the above 
themes. The festival will continue to host 2 Master classes targeting 
young writers. This year the focus will be on book reviewers and 
bloggers as well as writing in Indigenous Languages which have been 
generously sponsored by Mafoko Manuscript Services, a local company 
focusing on editing manuscripts.

“Whilst we are excited to be bringing this important and needed platform 
to Batswana for the second time, we continue to appeal to families, 
social clubs and organisations for financial assistance to cover costs 
related to running an event of this magnitude.” Keikantse concluded.

Entry to the festival is free on Day 1 and 2, whilst the main day will 
only be charged at P50, which will enable one access to the full day 
festival programme from morning until late afternoon. Maitisong remains 
the festival venue partner. The Gaborone Book festival is a family 
friendly event.