14-19 March 2011
International Writers' Festival

Brought to you annually by the University's Centre for Creative Arts, this event feautures a diverse gathering of literary luminaries that will include representatives from the many branches of the art of writing, such as novelists, short story writers, humour writers, political commentators and more.  The line-up includes award-winning writers Marie Darrieusecq (France), Caryl Phillips (UK), Biyi Bandele (Nigeria), and local favourites Njabulo Ndebele, John van der Ruit and Chris van Wyk, among others.

The festival's Opening Night Keynote Address will be delivered by the recently retired Constitutional Court judge, esteemed writer and cultural activist, Justice Albie Sachs. The award-winning author of a number of books, including Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter and Justice in South Africa, Sachs was instrumental in the process of writing the constitution of South Africa and is therefore eminently qualified to speak on the festival theme of Freedom of Expression.

Readings, discussions and book launches will take place nightly at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, and a broad range of day activities in the form of seminars, workshops, school visits, and a prison writing programme, are formulated to promote a culture of reading, writing and creative expression. A Schools Writing Competition will again take place, which accepts entries in English, Zulu, and Afrikaans, and has over the years proved to be one of the central development components of the festival.

Time of the Writer’s extensive programme of activities and culturally diverse line-up of writers promises to deliver a dynamic literary platform for dialogue and exchange on wide-ranging themes and offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into the many facets that inform the art of writing.

For more information please visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za