The Knysna Literary Festival brought together a diverse group of authors to engage, educate, and entertain visitors over the weekend. The three-day event, held on Thesen Island, featured 21 authors from various backgrounds, each sharing their unique stories and messages with eager bookworms who flocked to the town.
One of the standout authors at the festival was Marecia Damons, a renowned journalist, and Daniel Steyn, co-authors of the recently released book, The Thabo Bester Story. The book delves into the intriguing tale of Thabo Bester's prison break, whistle-blowing endeavors, and subsequent capture while fleeing the country. Damons emphasized the importance of setting the record straight and telling Bester's story accurately, given the misinformation circulating about his escapades.
Damons explained, "We felt it was a story that needed to be told. There were many narratives going around about what happened, and many of them were very wrong. We felt there was a responsibility from our side to tell the story accurately."
Another notable author in attendance was activist and rape survivor Andy Kawa, who shared her inspiring journey through her book, Kwanele is Enough. Kawa's story focuses on her path to healing by advocating for justice, exposing the shortcomings of the justice system, and demanding improvements in handling rape cases. She highlighted the importance of empowering young girls to fight for justice and find healing amidst challenging circumstances.
Festival founder Ling Dobson, representing Pam Golding, expressed the festival's mission to introduce visitors to South African authors and provide a platform for them to share their narratives. The festival has grown over the years, attracting a diverse range of talented authors and fostering a space for storytelling and literary exploration.
Gordon Shutte, Pam Golding's principal in the Garden Route region, emphasized the festival's commitment to supporting education through literature. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Knysna Education Trust, underscoring the belief that literature plays a crucial role in empowering children and promoting early childhood development.
The Knysna Literary Festival continues to be a platform for authors to connect with readers, share their stories, and contribute to the enrichment of literary culture while supporting educational initiatives in the community.
One of the standout authors at the festival was Marecia Damons, a renowned journalist, and Daniel Steyn, co-authors of the recently released book, The Thabo Bester Story. The book delves into the intriguing tale of Thabo Bester's prison break, whistle-blowing endeavors, and subsequent capture while fleeing the country. Damons emphasized the importance of setting the record straight and telling Bester's story accurately, given the misinformation circulating about his escapades.
Damons explained, "We felt it was a story that needed to be told. There were many narratives going around about what happened, and many of them were very wrong. We felt there was a responsibility from our side to tell the story accurately."
Another notable author in attendance was activist and rape survivor Andy Kawa, who shared her inspiring journey through her book, Kwanele is Enough. Kawa's story focuses on her path to healing by advocating for justice, exposing the shortcomings of the justice system, and demanding improvements in handling rape cases. She highlighted the importance of empowering young girls to fight for justice and find healing amidst challenging circumstances.
Festival founder Ling Dobson, representing Pam Golding, expressed the festival's mission to introduce visitors to South African authors and provide a platform for them to share their narratives. The festival has grown over the years, attracting a diverse range of talented authors and fostering a space for storytelling and literary exploration.
Gordon Shutte, Pam Golding's principal in the Garden Route region, emphasized the festival's commitment to supporting education through literature. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Knysna Education Trust, underscoring the belief that literature plays a crucial role in empowering children and promoting early childhood development.
The Knysna Literary Festival continues to be a platform for authors to connect with readers, share their stories, and contribute to the enrichment of literary culture while supporting educational initiatives in the community.
