Jakes Gerwel Discussions
Presented by the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and the ATKV
The Jakes Gerwel Discussions are supported by NB Publishers, Jonathan Ball, Penguin Random House SA, Bookstorm, the Afrikaans Language Council and Vriende van Afrikaans.
All events are free, but book your place with Theo Kemp: theo@jgf.org.za. Books of all the writers on the programme, will be sold by Wordsworth at the venue.
In my wildste drome
Presented by Vriende van Afrikaans
With René Arendse, Lyntjie Jaars, Julian Jansen and Nadine Petrick
Language: Afr
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 27 April 10:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Some well-known personalities share their journeys to their dream jobs – jobs some of them never thought possible in their wildest fantasies. In the spirit of Freedom Day, they also ponder about how free Afrikaans as a language really is. Are we rid of the baggage of the past? Can people say and write what they like?
My Word! Ideas for creating a writing culture in the classroom
In collaboration with LAPA/ Penguin Random House SA
With Thérèse Hulme, Marcia Woolward and Yoh! Poets
Language: Afr, Eng
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 27 April 11:30
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Praat jy! / My word! highlights the stories of Thérèse Hulme and the young people she inspired to start writing over a period of 17 years. Some of the young poets were part of the Yoh! Group, founded by the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and Thérèse at Grassy Park Secondary School. It’s five years later and the Yoh! youngsters, who dutifully attended Zoom workshops throughout the pandemic, are now published poets!
Mr Entertainment – Taliep Petersen se storie
In collaboration with Penguin Random House SA
With Paula Fourie, Jawaahier Petersen, David Kramer and Marianne Thamm
Language: Afr
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 27 April 13:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Paula Fourie presents Taliep Petersen’s fascinating life story through the eyes of the beloved artist’s friends, family and colleagues in the music industry. Her book covers more than Taliep’s childhood, his road to fame and his tragic death – it also offers a comprehensive view of our music history during the stormy political years from the 1950s to the early 2000s.
Jakes Gerwel Commemoration Lecture
With Imtiaz Sooliman
Language: Eng
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 27 April 18:00
Duration: 90 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Every year, the Jakes Gerwel Foundation commemorates Prof. Gerwel’s rich legacy during a special occasion. This year we honour his memory at Suidoosterfees, with the inspiring dr. Imtiaz Sooliman as guest speaker. Gift of the Givers, Sooliman’s non-profit organisation, has made the world a better place for countless people all over the globe.
The Brave Journalist
In collaboration with NB Publishers and Jonathan Ball
With Jacques Pauw, Pieter du Toit and Bulelwa Payi
Language: Eng
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 28 April 10:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Corruption, capture and cadres. These notorious words would not have become part of ordinary conversation if it weren’t for the courage of our journalists. What does it take from a writer to dig up evil roots and bring into the open that which powerful government officials want to cover up at all cost? Jacques Pauw, the legendary author of books like The President’s Keepers and Our Poisoned Land, joins Pieter du Toit, who wrote The ANC Billionaires, to talk about the trepidations and obsecrations facing investigative journalists daily.
Vreemde vroue
In collaboration with Penguin Random House SA and NB Publishers
With Bettina Wyngaard, Francois Loots en Jono Amid
Language: Afr
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 28 April 11:30
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
In Bettina Wyngaard’s Lokval, Nicci de Wee assumes the role of a detective, and in his new novel, Francois Loots tells the story of James Barry, Lord Somerset’s strange physician. Are these stories true, and how did the authors develop an appetite for “different” women?
Moerstaāl
In collaboration with NB Publishers
With Loit Sōls and Veronique Jephtas
Language: Afr
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 28 April 13:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Moerstaāl, which Loit Sōls worked on during a writers’ residency presented by the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and PEN Afrikaans in 2022, gives a voice to the poet’s ancestors and the first people at the southern tip of Africa. The maternal figure features prominently as a life-giving force in the volume. Veronique Jephtas, who also attended the Foundation’s residency programme when she wrote her poetry debut, Soe rond ommie bos, is in conversation with Loit.
The Outsider: Herman Mashaba
In collaboration with Jonathan Ball
With Prince Mashele and Anthony Butler
Language: Eng
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 29 April 10:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
What do Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Herman Mashaba have in common? They all are outsiders who entered mainstream politics. Mashaba is a business tycoon who caused turmoil in our political landscape. After his term as DA mayor of Johannesburg, he founded his own political party, Action SA. In a short time, he managed to gather enough votes to make him a force to be reckoned with in the boisterous world of coalition politics.
’n Kind soos ek
In collaboration with NB Publishers
With Crystal-Donna Roberts, Deidré Jantjies and Suzette Myburgh
Language: Afr
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 29 April 11:30
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
“I wanted to create a character who looks like me,” says Crystal-Donna Roberts about her first youth novel, Speurder Sammi. In Stories in die wind, Deidré Jantjies chronicles the stories of the people from the Richtersveld, Namakwaland and the Kalahari. Both authors participated in the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s and NB Publishers’ mentorship programme for emerging writers. They pen the stories of characters who were absent in children’s books for way too long.
Cleaner’s Boy
In collaboration with NB Publishers
With Patric Tariq Mellet and Michael Weeder
Language: Eng
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 29 April 13:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
In Patric Mellet’s autobiography, Cleaner’s Boy, the author who rose to fame with his controversial book, The Lie of 1652, talks about his innate, irrepressible spirit of resistance. Patric’s story is the tale of an individual with a deep awareness of identity, whose unpromising and tragic childhood developed into a life of influence.
The Presidents – Leadership in the Age of Crisis
In collaboration with Penguin Random House SA
With Richard Calland, Mabel Sithole and Zelda la Grange
Language: Eng
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 30 April 10:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Since 1994 South Africa had five presidents who differed radically in character and leadership style, despite the fact they all belonged to the same political party. How do Mandela, Mbeki, Motlanthe, Zuma and Ramaphosa compare in terms of strengths and weaknesses? What do South Africans yearn for in a political leader who can deal with our challenges decisively?
Kies die lewe
In collaboration with NB Publishers
With Ivor Swartz and Haidee Muller
Language: Afr
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 30 April 11:30
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
In his latest book, Ivor Swartz writes about his battle with depression, appealing to readers not to judge others for the choices they make in their darkest hour. Ivor talks about depression among men and teenagers, and he extends a hand to parents who had lost a child to suicide.
Chris Hani: A life too short
In collaboration with Jonathan Ball
With Janet Smith, Beauregard Tromp, Justice Malala and Ayesha Ismail
Language: Eng
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 30 April 13:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
The assassination of Chris Hani thirty years ago and the High Court’s recent decision to grant parole to his murderer, Janusz Waluś, again raise an important question in our history: What would have been the political impact on South Africa if Hani was still alive today?
Afrikaans gee jou vlerke
Presented by the Afrikaans Language Council (ATR)
With Hendrik Theys, Faizal Yon, Maréze Smit, Jerome Topley, Willa Boezak, Giselle Botha and Lizán Maree
Language: Afr
Venue: ATKV Innovation Lounge
Date and time: 1 May 10:00
Duration: 60 min
Price: Free, book at theo@jgf.org.za
Afrikaans speakers responded angrily when the world-famous Charlize Theron referred to her mother tongue as a “useless language”. Information about exciting career opportunities in Afrikaans are shared during this session.
