The 7th African Women Writers Symposium

The 7th African Women Writers Symposium (AWWS) has a very exciting programme and one of the draw cards is undoubtedly the multi-award winning American poet and writer, Patricia Smith who has been called “a testament to the power of words to change lives.”

Ms Patricia Smith will present the keynote address, in Memoriam Lecture for Nobel Laureate, Nadine Gordimer, on Saturday 4th December at 4pm to 5.30pm Sharp! This day long event hosted by the AWWS, has over the years hosted the In Memoriam Lecture for Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer with various acclaimed international writers. Unlike other years, given the pandemic there will be a limit on the number of seats available to the public to physically attend the Johannesburg and Durban events whilst streaming of the in memoriam Nadine Gordimer lecture will be free and open to the public. Strict Covid regulations will be adhered to.

This year’s event will take place on 4 December 2021, and falls within the country’s 16 days of activism against gender based violence. It will end in Durban on the 12 December with a musical programme. Both these activities will be hybrid events and promises to be both educational and entertaining.

Joburg 4 Dec 2021: 10am to 9pm @Soweto Theatre

The AWWS in Joburg kicks off with a day-long programme at the Soweto Theatre on Saturday 4 December. It begins with a Poetry Workshop hosted by Silke Heiss and Rochè Kester. This will be followed by a talk and discussion presented by customary law expert Nomboniso Gasa and Prof Farid Esack entitled: Gender Equality: Challenges of building a cultural and religious diverse nation, focusing on aspects of African customary law and practices and Muslim personal law. (1.45 to 3.30pm)

The evening session will conclude with a cultural evening of poetry and music, with both young and established poets such as Busisiwe Mahlangu, Melissa Moyo, Zandile Caroline Sibanda, Noluthando Mkhungo and Silke Heiss together with singers and musicians Leomile, Themby Khumalo, House sensation Thabsie and violinist Neo Motsatse with the all female string septet Black Girl Magic. The programme is free but reservations are essential.