• 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.