Explore every episode of the podcast Open Book Podcast

In this event Noma Tsheleza facilitates an interactive conversation with Michelle Myeko Kekana, the author of The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women. 

This is a recording of a live event that took place at the September 2025 edition of the Open Book Festival. 

The festival is made possible by the support of the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust.

In this event Wale Lawal, Athambile Masola and Moray Rhoda speak to Sue Nyamnjoh about meaning making in the age of AI. 

This is a recording of a live event that took place at the September 2025 edition of the Open Book Festival. 

The festival is made possible by the support of the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust.

Better Late is where the country’s most brilliant, bewildering, and occasionally unhinged creatives - Yaaseen Barnes and Callum Hitchcock - band together on the set of a Late Night TV show to get to the bottom of whatever the hell is going on at the Open Book Festival.

Joining them for conversations that matter are two very special guests, who you may recognise if you have been anywhere with internet access in the last few years — Settle down, brother! It’s not Grok — it’s Dan Corder and Céline Tshika.

This is a recording of a live event that took place at the September 2025 edition of the Open Book Festival. 

The festival is made possible by the support of the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In the context of a drastically weaker rand, loadshedding woes and concerns about representation, Mervyn Sloman talks to Eugene Ashton (JB), Mbali Sikakana (NB) and Karina Szczurek (Karavan) about their thoughts and plans for the future.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

Megan Choritz, Moshitadi Lehlomela and Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu speak to Buhle Ngaba about damaged mothers, wounded daughters and the possibilities of healing.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this conversation, Jaco Barnard-Naude, Desiree Lewis and Joel Modiri speak to Barbara Boswell about improving the university experience for all.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Isobel Dixon, Pieter Odendaal and Bridget Pitt explore spiritual connections to the land in the company of Kanya Viljoen.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. This event launches a crucial collection of essays, Striving for Social Equity. Here, co-editor Joy Watson is in conversation with contributors Irvin Kinds, Sinelizwi Ncaluka and Cassandra Roxburgh

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Farai Mudzingwa, Wisani Mushwana and Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah speak to Mapule Mohulatsi about African cities as spaces of reinvention and desire. Brought to you by the African Literary Cities Project as part of the African Cities as Text series.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Nechama Brodie, Caryn Dolley and Morabo Morojele explore the normalisation of pervasive violence in the company of Erin Bates

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this conversation, Jeanne Bodenstein and Nechama Brodie speak to Joy Watson about the successes and failures of the National Strategic Plan on gender based violence and femicide. This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this conversation, Hugo ka Canham, Lebohang Masango, Thandiwe Ntshinga and Uhuru Phalafala present insights into living in a world designed for white comfort. MC: Pumla Dineo Gqola.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023.

In this event, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi speaks to Wanjiru Koinange about her latest novel.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

In this event, Kopano Maroga, Manthipe Moila and Pieter Madibuseng Odendaal speak to each other through their poetry. Please note the readings will be followed by a short Q&A session.

This is a recording of a live event that took place at the September 2025 edition of the Open Book Festival.

The festival is made possible by the support of the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. In this discussion, Dawn Garisch, Busisekile Khumalo and SJ Naudé speak to Joy Watson about approaching death and grief.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. Damon Galgut and Sylvaine Strike speak to Africa Melane about the process of getting 'The Promise' from page to stage.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2023. Desiree Ellis, Sindiwe Magona and Patric Tariq Mellet speak to Firdose Moonda about overcoming the horrendous impact of apartheid.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion CA Davids, Khadija Heeger and Bronwyn Law-Viljoen speak to Yewande Omotoso about history and identity.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Terry-Ann Adams, Melinda Ferguson and Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase speak to Koketso Sachane about living through loss

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Dianne du Toit Albertze, Herman Lategan and Welcome Mandla Lishiva talk to Azille Coetzee about movement and safety.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Gertrude Fester, Pumla Dineo Gqola and Margie Orford speak to Ashanti Kunene about the importance of creativity as a driver for change and a tool of resilience.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Fred Khumalo, Pulane Mpondo and Kopano Ratele speak to Christopher Ouma about the impact of fatherlessness.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Dianne Du Toit Albertze, Chase Rhys and Lester Walburgh discuss the politics of being seen with Nelleke de Jager.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Lucas Ledwaba, Bulelwa Mabasa and Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon centre people in this conversation exploring the impact of landlessness and forced removals. It is chaired by Ruth Hall.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a recording of a live event that took place at the September 2025 edition of the Open Book Festival.

This session dives into the link between capitalism and mental health, asking what happens to our bodies, minds, and communities when the world gaslights us into distrusting our own senses. Together with artists and thinkers M Mpho Boshego, Andile Cele and Nthato Mokgata, the conversation explores resistance, self-trust as artistic discipline, and vulnerability as something far less cute—and far more urgent—than we've been sold. Following 45 minutes of dialogue, the floor opens. No Q&A. Just a room full of people making noise together. Refusing to stay silent. Naming what’s true – especially if it’s something the world considers mad.

The festival was made possible by the support of the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Welcome Mandla Lishivha, Onke Mazibuko and Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu speak to Lester Kiewit about agency, identity and performance.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Andrew Brown, Qarnita Loxton and Onke Mazibuko chat all things book related with Festival Director, Mervyn Sloman.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Caryn Dolley, Karyn Maughan and Refilwe Moloto talk to Rebecca Davis about the specific challenges facing female journalists

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Gertrude Fester, Bulelwa Mabasa and Herman Lategan speak to Max du Preez about journeying back to document gaps in search of healing.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Pulane Mpondo, Yewande Omotoso and Margie Orford unpick mother-daughter relationships in the company of Joy Watson.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Onke Mazibuko, Lethokuhle Msimang and Terry-Ann Adams speak to Mohale Mashigo about disconnected characters

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Ben Booysen, Rofhiwa Maneta and Jeremy Vearey speak to Caryn Dolley about good policing in a bad world.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Haji Mohamed Dawjee, Nicky Falkof and Melinda Ferguson speak to Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela about the impact of fear on their own and their characters' lives.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Khalied Jacobs, Bulelwa Mabasa and Chase Rhys speak to Leonie Joubert about the connections and disconnections between humans and their environment.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Sean Davison (assisted suicide), Joy Watson (GBV) and Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon (urban housing) speak to Bronwyn Pithey about using the courts as tools for transforming our society.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a recording of a live event that took place at the September 2025 edition of the Open Book Festival.

In this event, Jon Keevy and Adriana Marais speak to Wamuwi Mbao about the intersections of art and science.

The festival is made possible by the support of the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Ben Booysen, Mlilo Mpondo, Erika Bornman talk to Nicky Falkof about secret societies and isolation.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion CA Davids, Gertrude Fester and Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu speak to Ncedisa Nkonyeni about history and its vulnerability.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Vanya Gastrow, Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase and Fred Khumalo speak to Karina Szczurek about the ongoing vulnerability of foreign nationals in South Africa.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Kyle Cowan and Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, speak to Saliem Fakir about Eskom and the future of energy provision in Cape Town.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Pumla Dineo Gqola, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni and Yewande Omotoso speak to Mohale Mashigo about feminist connections.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase speaks to Andrew Brown about his harrowing account of growing up in Rwanda and the challenges he's faced living in South Africa.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Sara-Jayne Makwala King, Lethokuhle Msimang and Kopano Ratele speak to Bongani Kona about what love looks like in the present day.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Pumla Dineo Gqola, Lucas Ledwaba, Malcolm Ray and Songezo Zibi speak to Carol Paton about potential solutions to some of our biggest challenges.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. This open dialogue between Khadija Heeger and Ashley Moyo adopts an impromptu approach to engagement about the industry. They will unpack what a career in poetry looks like in a post pandemic world.

This event was brought to you in partnership with Hear My Voice and made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Boll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Dianne Du Toit Albertze, Fred Khumalo and Joy Watson speak to Bettina Wyngaard about migrating to survive.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a recording of a live event that took place at the September 2025 edition of the Open Book Festival.

In this event, Tom Eaton, Paige Nick and Zibu Sithole speak to Qarnita Loxton about balancing lighthearted writing with themes that resonate.

The festival was made possible by the support of the City of Cape Town, the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Koni Benson, Musawenkosi Khanyile and Bronwyn Law-Viljoen speak to Dela Gwala about apartheid legacies.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Terry-Ann Adams, Welcome Mandla Lishivha and Chase Rhys speak to Kelly Smith about community and belonging.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

This is a live recording of an event that took place at Open Book Festival in September 2022. In this discussion Kyle Cowan, Karyn Maughan and Songezo Zibi reflect on the damage done to our institutions in the company of Erin Bates.

This event was made possible by the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the City of Cape Town and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.