The Harare Open Book Festival, themed “Necessary Conversations,” will take place on October 19th at The Garden in Newlands, Harare. The festival, known for its focus on thought-provoking discussions, returns this year with a stellar lineup of influential literary figures and performers.
By Plot Mhako
Building on the success of previous editions, the 2024 festival will feature some of Zimbabwe’s literary heavyweights. Esteemed writers such as Aaron Chiundura Moyo, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, Togara Muzanenhamo, and musician-writer Clive Mono Mukundu are set to headline the event.
Sukoluhle Nyathi, widely known as Sue Nyathi, will be the guest speaker. Currently based in South Africa, Nyathi is the author of critically acclaimed novels including The Gold Diggers (2018), A Family Affair (2020), and An Angel’s Demise (2022). She is also a celebrated editor, having edited When Secrets Become Stories: Women Speak Out (2021) and contributed to anthologies such as Black Tax: A Burden or Ubuntu (2019) and Hair: Unpicking and Weaving Stories of Identity (2019).
In addition to Nyathi, the festival will feature a diverse panel of talented writers, including Tinashe Muchuri, Beaton Mabaso, David Bene, Sista Zai, Pauline Chirata Mukondiwa, Pamela Phiri, Fungai Chigumbura, Zukiswa Wanner, Nomsa Mlambo, and Margaret Chideme.
The 2024 edition promises to engage audiences with dynamic panel discussions. One of the highlights will be a conversation titled “Beyond The Making of an African City” featuring Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu. Ndlovu is known for her award-winning novels The Theory of Flight (2018), The History of Man (2020), and The Quality of Mercy (2022). Her latest novel, The Creation of Half-Broken People (2024), has just been released and will be a key topic of discussion.
Veteran writer Aaron Chiundura Moyo will feature in the Legends Hour segment, where he will be in conversation with Tinashe Muchuri, offering insight into his long and illustrious career. Togara Muzanenhamo will contribute to a conversation on “Writing Residencies: Challenges and Opportunities,” sharing valuable insights on this essential topic.
Adding a creative flair to the event, poets Kuda Rice and Takudzwa Goniwa will perform, alongside rising musician Ariphileng Kwela, ensuring the festival resonates with artistic vibrancy.”
The Harare Open Book Festival is made possible with support from Fastjet, Cresta Hotel, Ruparara Lodge, The Garden, Carnelian Heart Publishers, NyashaMusaGrace, Book Fantastics, and the participating writers.
With such a dynamic lineup, this year’s festival is set to foster stimulating discussions and celebrate the power of literature to spark necessary conversations across diverse topics.
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