Yes, the show will go on this Sunday and you are welcome to join us.
Part 2 of the 11th African Women Writers Symposium (AWWS) takes place on Sunday 16th November at the Soweto Theatre. The Symposium is funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and is held in partnership with the Soweto Theatre. This event is free and open to all. Part 1 of our Symposium – held last month – was a resounding success and well received by the public and the media.
The African Women Writers Symposium returns with a vibrant programme of writing and publishing workshops, alongside compelling panel discussions where emerging and established authors tackle today’s most pressing literary, social, and cultural issues.
Back by popular acclaim, award-winning poet and writer (of many works as listed below) Arja Salafranca will facilitate a workshop on short story writing. Her advice to any would-be writer is simple: “Read, of course, read as much and as widely as you can.”
How does a writer go from manuscript to published work? Dr. Stacy Hardy — acclaimed poet, Wits University lecturer, and editor at the Pan-African platform Chimurenga — will lead a special workshop to answer this very question. Along with co-facilitators Dr Raphael d’Abdon and Quaz Roodt, she brings a wealth of insight from her global scholarly work to guide writers on the practical steps toward publication.
This symposium will tackle the critical role of journalists in our challenging era. We will hear from leading voices like Naledi Moleo (ENCA), Mbali Dhlamini (EWN), and Selaelo Makhwidiri (Salaamedia), as they dissect the pressing issues in media today — from censorship and bias to disinformation and beyond.
There will be panels on debut writing with South African writers Nadia Cassim (Not Another Samoosa Run), Mpho Boshego (Diplomatic Ties) as well award-winning writer Zainab Dala, Romy Sommer, a romance novelist and writing coach, and Angolan writer Egna de Sousa.
As in previous editions, AWWS seeks to engage with the world we inhabit, not just the word. In an era of division, what do borders and belonging truly mean? We entrust this hefty but stimulating brain-teaser to a dynamic panel: young writer and activist Zulaikha Patel, political commentator Tessa Dooms (Power FM), author Zainab Dala, and South African indigenous historian Attaqua Ethel Herandien. Together, they will explore our shared humanity in the face of discrimination and xenophobia, both within South Africa and beyond its borders.
The programme will also feature performance poets and music. For more details on the programme, see below:
Entrance: FREE but booking is essential. RSVP ? bit.ly/AWWS2025_RSVP or email afroartsurban@gmail.com
Programme includes literary workshops, panel discussions, music and poetry
Part 2: Sunday 16 November 2025
Time: 10 to 11.30am
Workshop 1:From Draft to Published: A Practical Workshop for Poets & Writers
Presenters: Dr Raphael d’Abdon (Unisa), Dr Stacy Hardy (Wits University), Quaz Roodt (University of Johannesburg)
Having one’s work published is the aspiration of every writer, but where and how does the journey begin? What must one do to stand a chance to be published in magazines and journals? When is one ready to submit a manuscript to a publisher? The workshop, facilitated by three experienced South African writers / editors / teachers, explores the different phases of the process that leads to publication (reading, writing and editing practices; submission; acceptance/rejection; final revision). It focuses on poetry and prose and is designed for all kinds of writers (beginners, amateurs, professionals).
Time: 10 to 11.30am
Workshop 2: Writing Short Stories, including publishing
Presenter: Arja Salafranca
Arja Salafranca has published three collections of poetry, A Life Stripped of Illusions, which received the Sanlam Award for poetry and The Fire in which we burn. Her third poetry collection is Beyond Touch, which was the co-winner in the poetry category of the South African Literary Awards in 2016.
Time: 11.30am to 1pm.
Panel 1: Debut Publishing: explaining the now and building the future
Panelists: Mpho Boshego, Nadia Cassim, Egna De Sousa (Angola), Romy Sommer, Zainab Dala
Facilitator: Nondumiso Msimanga
Mpho Boshego is the debut author of Diplomatic Ties and Nadia Cassims’ recent book is entitled Not Another Samoosa Run. Romy Sommer is a writing coach and writer of romance books. Egna De Sousa is an Angolan writer, poet, diplomat and she is the co-author of several anthologies that celebrate cultural diversity and female strength. Zainab Dala is an award winning writer.
Time: 1 to 1.45pm
Refreshments and Break
Time: 1.45 to 3.30pm
Panel 2: Borders, Land, Home and Belonging: Exploring our shared humanity
Panelists: Zulaikha Patel, Tessa Dooms, Attaqua Ethel Herandien, Zainab Dala
Facilitator: Prof Nedine Moonsamy (University of Johannesburg)
Zulaikha Patel is a writer and activist. Tessa Dooms is a writer, social analyst, broadcaster and currently a presenter on Power FM. Attaqua Ethel Herandien is a South African indigenous historian, social justice activist, knowledge keeper, and oral and visual storyteller and of Khoisan origin. Zainab Dala is an award winning writer of both fiction and non fiction; she is also a psychologist and physiotherapist.
Time: 3.30 to 5pm
Panel 3: Searching for the conscience in Media
Panelists: Naledi Moleo, Mbali Dhlamini, Selaelo Makhwidiri
Facilitator: Hassen Lorgat (Media Justice Activist)
This panel features professional journalists, including Naledi Moleo from ENCA, Mbali Dhlamini from EWN, and Selaelo Makhwidiri from Salaamedia. The session will look at the challenges facing the media, from ownership to misinformation and various other factors.
Time: 5 to 5.30pm
Cultural Programme: Poetry and Music
Poetry: Amogelang Aysha, Emmah Mabye, Torsten Clear Rybka & Modise Sekgothe
Music by the KAMVA String Quartet
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Author: Dee’s Harilal from JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Afro Arts SA.
For media interviews or any additional information, please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632 or 083 954 6133.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of African Women Writers’ Network and Afro Arts SA.
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