Sharing the festival experience is caring

The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees is an inclusive cornucopia of opinions, backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. We create a platform in the hope and expectation that we will find and celebrate unity and each other through diverse expression and our particular experiences. In the spirit of our festival theme, we ask festival-goers to be respectful of difference and to engage with it in a constructive manner.

Please switch off your mobile phone before all shows, leave the baby and the dog with the sitter, visit the restroom before you take your seat, and share your stories and opinions once the show has ended. No latecomers are admitted to performances. Food stalls and cash bars are available at most venues. Please support our suppliers. Your own food and drink is not permitted in venues. Allow at least 30 minutes to purchase refreshments and drinks before shows.

The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees is expanding organically and for optimal use of space, the festival centre looks different in 2025:

• The EasyEquities Writers’ Room (and festival) will be hosted at Die Khaya, right next to the Kruiskerk in Ryneveld Street.
• Exclusive Books is located in Die Khaya’s parking area. There is also a cosy restaurant with, among other things, coffee and scrumptious food.
• Our Discussion Programme, which includes the Netwerk24 conversation series, takes place primarily in the Netwerk24 Tent behind the SU Museum. The Netwerk24 Festival Café is also located here.
• RSG broadcasts from the RSG/ATKV Sqaure behind the SU Museum.
• The Science Café and Student Discourse take place in the SU Conservatory Amphitheatre.
• Afterpaartie is from Monday to Friday nights at Die Khaya Café at 22:00. Make sure it’s your last stop.

Come and enjoy a drink at the bar before or after the show. Thanks to a new lift, this theatre is now wheelchair- friendly.

Enjoy an outdoor concert in this beautiful park with several food stalls (no own food or drink is permitted). Remember to bring warm clothing. Bring your own chairs and picnic blankets.

At this music venue on the Summerhill wine estate along the Agter-Paarl road about 5 km outside the town you can eat, drink and dance. Allow plenty of time to get there, or use the convenient Toyota festival shuttle service.

SPIER

We use the Spier Amphitheatre for opera and stand-up comedy. Please bring something warm to wear and allow enough time to get from the parking area to the theatre. The auditorium is located in the Spier Conference Centre. The Toyota shuttle service can be used from Koch Street Park-n-Ride.

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Power schedules can change at very short notice. The Woordfees uses generators in most venues and shows continue when the power goes out. Shows will rarely be cancelled or postponed due to load shedding.

The Woordfees is a cashless festival. Pay with any debit or credit card, or use SnapScan.

Stellenbosch is an old town with narrow streets and very limited parking. Allow enough time to get from one show to another. Park for free opposite Rhenish Girls’ High in Koch Street (entrance from Park Street). Use the festival shuttle from these car parks. Day tickets (R50) are available, as well as a festival ticket (R200) that can be used for the full duration of the festival.

With the exception of one space, all of the Woordfees venues are equipped for people in wheelchairs. Only the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden is not accessible to wheelchairs. It is essential to make arrangements in advance for assistance with access and especially parking on 079 256 0398.

October is spring in Stellenbosch – the days are warm but the evenings get cold quickly. Bring a sun hat and sunscreen, and drink lots of water. For evenings and outdoor shows bring warm clothes or a blanket.

An extensive panel of experts attends all shows during the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees to acknowledge outstanding achievement by artists and presentations in 29 categories. The awards will be presented during an awards event in November.

Emergency services from any cell phone: 112

Netcare: 082 911
ER24: 084 124
Mediclinic Stellenbosch (ongevalle): 021 861 2094

Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital (emergency): 021 808 6100

Campus Health: 021 808 3494/6

SU Campus Security (emergency):
021 808 2333

Stellenbosch Municipality Emergency

24/7: 021 808 8890

Stellenbosch Fire Department: 021 808 8888

SAPD
Emergencies (national): 10111 Stellenbosch: 021 809 5000 / 5015 / 5012

Woordfees office (general inquiries): 079 256 0398

Wheelchair Reservations: 079 256 0398