Now in its third year, the Johannesburg Festival of Women Writers (JFWW) brought together the literature community to discuss and debate matters within the space. The event took place at the University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture (FADA) at the Bunting Road Campus.
Speaking at the opening session of the event on Saturday, 08 March 2025, University of Johannesburg (UJ) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi stated that it was a source of great pride that the event was held at the University. He added that since UJ’s inception, the institution has prioritised transformation, particularly the increased representation of women, as a strategic objective.
“The very purpose of festivals such as this is to ensure that gender is at the forefront of knowledge transformation and that we are intersectional in this pursuit. For centuries, literature has been dominated by white male voices who have shaped societal norms and histories from a singular perspective.”
Prof Mpedi emphasised the need for representation.
“When women’s voices are absent or underrepresented, their experiences are shaped by others, often reinforcing stereotypes, illusions, or incomplete truths. And so, herein lies the importance of events such as this – it is not only about representation but about amplification. It is about reclaiming narratives and telling the whole story. It is a fuller representation of reality. This writing not only provides visibility to women’s own experiences but also broadens our collective understanding of humanity. When women’s voices are marginalised, so are the realities they represent.”
The festival is administered by the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) and UJ and also marked the significant milestones – the 10-year and 20-year anniversaries respectively.
On Sunday, 09 March 2025 Professor Victoria Collis-Buthelezi, Director: UJ’s Centre for the Study of Race, Gender and Class, welcomed attendees sharing the vision of the festival.
“The commitments of this festival remain to showcase and celebrate African women writers and promote a culture of reading by creating dynamic and interactive links between writers, readers and publishers. To encourage new writers and foster intergenerational conversations between writers and between and amongst women and promote the sales of books.”
She added that it would be a fruitful day of information sharing: “What is amazing about this festival is the ways in which it points to the different access points for writing and publishing.”
Under the theme African Women’s Writing in the 21st Century the festival explored various forms of writing, including fiction, reviews, poetry, and publishing.
The JFWW interactive workshops focused on craft-heightened literacy and technique and the various disciplines of writing. Through curated masterclasses and workshops, book signings and sales, book club discussions, plenary sessions and a children’s literature programme; local authors and publishers were able to provide skills and knowledge to attendees.
During the opening plenary session, authors Pontsho Pilane, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba, Siphokazi Jonas, Duduzile Noeleen discussed their literature journeys with moderator Dr Alma-Nalisha Cele.
Programme Director Sebenzile Nkabinde reflected on the progressive impact of AI on the literature space and how to leverage it.
The JFWW was founded by Ms Barbara Masekela who will be conferred with an honorary doctorate on Monday, 10 March 2025.
She started the festival to ensure women were remembered for their work.
“We need to have something that promotes writers and the sales of their books and makes it possible for them to engage with the communities. We need to promote reading and access to books in South Africa.”
The keynote speaker was Dr Barbara Boswell who is the winner of the UJ’s Debut Creative Writing Prize. The author is celebrated for her novels, including Grace, and The Comrade’s Wife, as well as editing the recently released Lauretta Ngcobo: Writing as a Practice of Freedom compilation.
In line with its tradition of advancing the cause of women, this year’s festival was specially dedicated to the writing and cultural contributions of Lauretta Ngcobo, Brigalia Bam, Mariama Bâ, and Joyce Seroke.
