Tenth African Women Writers’ symposium to shine light on empowerment through literature

As the world grapples with uncertainty and despair, the tenth African Women Writers’ Symposium (AWWS) shines a beacon of hope through the power of literature.

Set to take place on October 20 and 26 in Soweto and Newtown, Johannesburg, this two-day event is sure to inspire and empower all who attend.

Kicking off the Symposium on Sunday, October 20 at the Soweto Theatre, Jabulani, is the Nadine Gordimer in Memoriam Lecture by Professor Carolyn Cooper from Jamaica. Professor Cooper, renowned for her work on Jamaican popular culture, will explore the theme of female empowerment in literature and popular culture.

Gordimer born in 1923, died in 2014 was South African novelist and short-story writer whose major theme was exile and alienation.She received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991. Gordimer was writing by the age of 9, and  published her first story in a magazine when she was 15.

The event will be both in-person and livestreamed, ensuring a wider audience can participate in the conversation.

The evening will also feature the debut book launch of Nokwanda Ngombane, pictured bellow, shedding light on the political assassination of her husband and her struggles within a corrupt criminal justice system.

The book launch will be accompanied by poetry and musical performances, adding an artistic touch to the night.

On Saturday, October 26, the Symposium will continue at the Auditorium in Newtown with various panel discussions on contemporary issues, master class workshops on poetry, and publishing.

Highlights include a talk on the role of women in urban contemporary music, as well as a panel on Narrating Palestine to combat mainstream media misinformation.

With an impressive lineup of speakers and thought-provoking discussions, the tenth African Women Writers’ Symposium promises to be a platform for empowerment, inspiration, and hope.