3 – 11 OCT 2026
Our festival poet is a birdwatcher! Roberts Birds of Southern Africa meets the Groot verseboek**in this stroll through the SU Botanical Garden. Join Tom Dreyer** and other poets as they capture our feathered friends in a fine net of words and let them sing in their poetry: from the cheerful finch to the noble falcon […]
Join our festival poet for a conversation about the current research on psychedelic substances such as psilocybin (mushrooms), DMT, and ayahuasca. Tom Dreyerand sculptor Gerhard van Niekerk discuss the irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of these substances in combating depression, unlocking creativity, and opening up new ways of thinking about human consciousness and interpersonal relationships. […]
The tallest trees supposedly catch the most wind… but where does the wind come from? At the Woordfees, the poets are ready to try their hands at shaking tall trees. In this reading of new verses by leading poets, there is unabashed criticism of those who wield the sceptre in the world – from the […]
With Stephanie Baartman(voice), Janine Neethling(piano) A semi-autobiographical cabaret that tells the story of Stephanie, the daughter of two pastors, as she searches for her place in the world amid her mixed heritage and our complex history. With humour, pathos, and a blend of koortjies, ghoema, jazz, and original Afrikaans compositions, she comes to realise that […]
With Elsabé Brits (facilitator), prof. Lizette Rabe (emeritus professor in journalism), prof. Renata Schoeman (psychiatrist and associate professor, University of Stellenbosch), dr. Liana Roodt (breast cancer specialist) The word hysteria traces back to the Greek hystera – meaning uterus. For centuries, women’s pain has been dismissed as mere emotion. We speak candidly about how a […]
DEBUT With Carlo Daniels One actor, many roles. Carlo Daniels draws on Robin Malan’s compilation, reimagining Hamlet’s spiritual and practical struggles as a series of raw, intimate vignettes. Grounded in the contemporary Cape Flats and parts of Cape Town, the production becomes a vital, shared space where the trauma of collective colonial legacy is also […]
Presented by Xarra Books In Imperfect Harmony conductor and cellist Kutlwano Masotereflects on a life lived between music and family. From the orchestra pit to the heart of his home, Masote shares an honest, deeply personal story of love, loss, addiction and redemption. In discussing his lyrical memoir, Kutlwano speaks to journalist Elna van der […]
Join Lizelle Kilbourn, art collector and philanthropist, and Bina Genovese, Director and Senior Auctioneer of Strauss & Co, as they share their impressions of the 61st Venice Biennale. Offering a personal perspective, the conversation explores the international art landscape, with a particular focus on the presence and role of African art within this global context. […]
With The Odeion String quartet: Samantha Durrant(violin), Sharon de Kock(violin), Jeanne-Louise Moolman(viola), Anmari van der Westhuizen(cello), as well as Danré Strydom(clarinet), Cezarre Strydom (piano), Jeanette Ziady (dancer),Vanessa Phillips(narration) In the Blink of an Eyeis a multidisciplinary performance for string quartet, piano, clarinet, narrator, dancer and video. Music, movement, and the spoken word collide in a […]
In November 2025, a crate containing a very special collection of priceless documents was delivered to the SU Document Centre. The collection, the documentary legacy of Ingrid Jonker, arrived at the SU Library after a long journey from The Hague in the Netherlands. This discussion on Ingrid Jonker’s documentary heritage provides a platform to showcase […]
With Jak de Priesterand the Kaapse Lawaaimakers In 2001, Jak de Priester wrote his first major hit,Sally Williams Nougat – the song that would mark the beginning of a remarkable career. A year later, he won ATKV Crescendo and released his debut album. Twenty-five years later, he reflects on a journey richly filled with music […]
With Sibabalwe Gobe-Gysman (voice & flute), Melisizwe Plaatjie (piano), Malibongwe ‘Pizzo’ Magatyana (electric guitar & double bass), Ezra Smuts (drums), Esihle Valela, Jayden Harebottle, Henco Bester (tenor saxophone), and vocalists Athule Tshiwula, Julia Madison Theron, and Sinelizwi Miza Experience an evening of homegrown jazz inspired by greats such as Afrika Mkhize, Bheki Mseleku, Nomfundo Xaluva, and Mandisi Dyantyis. Sibabalwe & Friends pay tribute to and build upon the rich legacy of these […]
