The 11th African Women Writers’ Symposium (AWWS), funded by a grant from the Dept of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), and produced by Afro Arts SA, will take place on Sunday 19 October and Sunday 16 November 2025 at the Soweto Theatre. The 11th African Women Writers Symposium is held in partnership with the Soweto Theatre.
The themes invariably veer around the persistent issues of the role of African women intellectuals in a troubled world. Despite being under-represented in mainstream media, African writers continue to punch higher and refuse to be defined by the ignorance of patriarchy, sexism, and racism. This two-day programme, which we trust will inspire hope in these challenging times, includes workshops, talks, debates, and discussions on literature in these times of turmoil.
Part One: Sunday 19 October 2025 at the Soweto Theatre
The Symposium kicks off on Sunday 19 October 2025 at the Soweto Theatre with the Nadine Gordimer In Memoriam Lecture, presented by the multi award-winning author Alexandra Fuller. Fuller was born in the UK but raised and educated in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). The theme of her address is ‘No Voice, No Choice.’
Fuller is the bestselling author of one novel and seven works of non-fiction, most notably the 2001 memoir, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight. She is also a co-producer of the 2025 movie of the same name, which is currently on circuit alongside co-producers Trevor Noah and Anele Mdoda. Her latest memoir, Fi, was a 2025 Pulitzer Finalist.
The conversation and Q&A will be facilitated by Nomboniso Gasa. The event will be available both in-person and online.
The In-Memoriam Lecture will be preceded by literary workshops, including ‘Writing from Self,’ presented by Calvin Ratladi, recent young artist winner of the Standard Bank Award for Theatre and director of the successful production ‘Breakfast with Mugabe.’ There will also be an appearance and short skit by ‘Mrs Mugabe.’ A workshop on poetry will be presented by ZAPP, featuring poets Vuyokazi Ngemntu, Olive Olusegun, and Dr. Raphael d'Abdon. The afternoon will conclude with a range of poetry, dance, and musical performances including guitarist Louis Mhlanga and trombone player and singer Siya Makuzeni.
Part Two: Sunday 16 November 2025 at the Soweto Theatre
On Sunday 16 November 2025, AWWS will feature various international and local literary panel discussions on contemporary issues, as well as masterclass workshops on poetry and publishing.
Highlights include a panel on debut books with authors Mpho Boshego, Nadia Cassim, Romy Sommer, and Egna de Sousa (Angola), facilitated by Nondumiso Msimanga. Other panels will discuss issues of ‘Borders, Land, Home and Belonging’ with writers Zulaikha Patel, Tessa Dooms and Attaqua Ethel Herandien.
The symposium will also host a thought-provoking panel entitled ‘Finding the Conscience in Media’ with professional journalists from print, TV, and radio including Naledi Moleo from ENCA, former SAFM presenter, Lebo Moshomane from EWN an former Sowetan journalist together with Saelo Makhwidiri from Salaam Media. The session will look at the challenges facing the media, from ownership to misinformation.
Over the years, participation from award-winning women writers from the continent and the African diaspora have participated. The AWWN has hosted the likes of Nawal El Saadawi, Nadine Gordimer, Jayne Cortez, Miriam Tlali, Sapphire, Mona Eltahawy, Diana Ferrus, Kadija Sessay, Koleka Putuma, Shailja Patel, Zukiswa Wanner, Lola Shoneyin, Aja Monet and Samira Negrouche, amongst others.
Book early, so not to miss out.
For More Information go to: https://afroarts.co.za/programmes/african-women-writers-network/
All programme events are free and open to the public, but RSVP is essential for audience members wishing to attend in person. Please RSVP by email to afroartsurban@gmail.com
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 the African Women Writers’ Network and Afro Arts SA.
Note for Editors:
The Alexandra Fuller Lecture will be streamed on the following sites: Sun 19 Oct: 3pm- 4.30pm
* Discovr.tv
* Sowetotheatre.com
* Facebook Page: African Women Writers Network
ALEXANDRA FULLER
Alexandra Fuller is the author of five memoirs, including the New York Times bestselling Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness and *Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight—a 2002 *New York Times* Notable Book, a finalist for the Guardian’s First Book Award, and winner of the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize. She has also authored two books of nonfiction and the novel Quiet Until the Thaw. Her latest memoir, Fi: A Memoir of My Son , a *New York Times* and Washington Post Notable Book of the Year, a New York Times Editors’ Choice, a TIME Top 10 Book (#2), and the Must-Read Book of the Year—was released in paperback in April 2025. Fuller’s writing has appeared in The New Yorker, National Geographic, Vogue, Harper’s Magazine, Granta, The New York Times, and The Guardian.
Previous keynote addresses for the Nadine Gordimer In Memoriam Lecture have been delivered by writers from the continent and its diaspora, such as Sapphire (USA), Aminata Forna (Scotland/Sierra Leone), Barbara Boswell (SA), Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe), Leila Aboulela (Sudan), Gillian Slovo (SA), and Lorna Goodison (Jamaica).
