Exciting line up for inaugural Ramsgate Literary Festival

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

The inaugural Ramsgate Literary Festival, sponsored by UGU South Coast Tourism, kicks off on 24^th September as part of Heritage Day Celebrations. Set in the picturesque village of Ramsgate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, the festival will celebrate all things great about Ramsgate including good books, art exhibitions, quirky museums, fine wines & antiques.

According to Festival organizer Vicky Wentzel of Wozani Africa Events “Our focus this year is “Read Local” featuring 11 authors, 10 of whom are from the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast – many of them have written historical books on the area.”

The festival program will run as per the below time slots at The Whale Deck in Ramsgate

10h00: The highly acclaimed Prof. Lindy Stiebel will be officially opening the festival. Lindy Stiebel is Professor Emeritus of English Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is the also the author of a number of books. Her latest book is written on Baines and is titled Thomas Baines: Exploring Tropical Australia Appearing. 2016 will see her further work on Nkosi entitled Writing Home: Lewis Nkosi on South African Literature; together with the e-publication of A Literary Companion to KwaZulu-Natal, a book which collects over 10 years of the KZN Literary Tourism projects which she leads, come into fruition. In addition to these books, Lindy Stiebel has published many articles on South African literature, spatial discourse and literary tourism.

Her subject matter of her presentation talks to ‘KZN Literary Tourism and the South Coast Writers’ Trail’.

10h30 Ruth Field is a lover of history & is a local English teacher. She is the author of ‘The Postmasters Mistress” a paperback book which took her 8 enjoyable years to complete. The book is based on the life love story of Elna Jennings (94) who resided in Port Edward. Ruth will present a fascinating paper entitled ‘Why record local history?’.

11h00  Doreen Gaze is a local art gallery owner and custodian of Ramsgate – she will be presenting her book “Ramsgate Recollections”

11h30 Local historian and much loved journalist and writer Libby Cochrane author of three books with her latest being “Southbroom Remembering Yesteryear” will present her subject entitled “Personal Reflections”

12h00 The festival program will feature a book launch by author Ron Lock “Tales of the Old East Coast” .

12h30 Ron Lock presents a paper on “The March of the Inniskilling Fusiliers – a tale set in 1842”

13h00 Authors Lunch 

13h00 – 13h45 The Dixieland Jazz Band will entertain – Ramsgate Whale Watching Deck

13h45 Another highlight on the days calendar is the guest appearance of  Mr. PRITHIRAJ DULLAY, author of “Salt Water Runs in My Veins”. This is a compendium of 21 short stories that extend over 100 years; and encapsulates Dullay’s life whilst growing up on the South Coast. He is a respected university academic, columnist and he also writes extensively for several newspapers. In 2003 he developed and became the Senior Officer of the DUT College Lecture Programmes bringing renowned scholars, writers, filmmakers, poets, scientists, artists and others to the institution. Among these were Mark Shuttleworth, Prof. CNR Rao, world leader on nano technology, American Astronauts and no other than Professor Fatima Meer. He was responsible for the creation of the bronze bust of Steve Biko that stands in Freedom Square in front of the main Library. Mr. Dullay is, a controversial and highly acclaimed individual who will present two papers entitled “Ignoring The  Elephant in the Room” and “Nuclear Power in SA – the need for civil society to actively engage in national discourses”.

14h30 Bongi Malishe will present the book “You are Wired to Win” and discusses the inspirational story that resulted in the creation of this book

15h00 Sarah Unsworth, local entrepreneur, poet and first time author of children’s novel “Leaving Essenwood – Simons Story” will present ‘The Miracle and Wonder of Publishing your First Story”.

15h30 Afrikaans author Anette Brink “Dance Met Die Jakkals” will present a paper entitled “Namibia is a Great Source of Interesting Tales”.

16h00 Prof. Clive Dennison “Footprints in Paradise”           

16h30 John GI Clark “The Promise of Justice”

17h00 Authors Cocktail Sundowners at The Blue Lagoon Deck, Ramsgate Beach

19h00 Poetry by Candlelight at The Burlesque Café – calling all local poets to submit work for selection.

19h00 – 20h00 Street Fire Dancers will perform in the Ramsgate Village

Throughout the day Ramsgate Stationers will be selling guest authors recent publications as well as a selection of Allan Paton books.

24^th & 25^th September

9h00 – 17h00 The Gaze Gallery presents an exhibition of Izidro Duarte work

11h00 – 15h00 The Lobster Pot will host a two day Cookery Book Display and Sales area

10h00 – 16h00 Ramsgate Relics, The Fair & Tinkers Den Antique Shops

will be opening their doors to visitors in search of rare, first edition and collector’s books.

Drop off points for second hand books that will be donated to local schools in need will include: Ramsgate Stationers (South Coast Mall) and all UGU South Coast Tourism offices within the district.

Moving onto the 25^th September festival visitors can expect another great and varied line up including the following:

9h00 till 17h00: Hazels World of Miniatures, a private museum of handcrafted and vintage minutures will be open to allow public the opportunity of viewing the wonderful collection of miniature literary scenes. Her works feature to name a few include “The Victorian Street Scene” a Charles Dickens London Christmas Carol setting as well as children’s story tales scenes featuring the famous “Geppetto’s Workshop” from the Enid Blyton novel Pinocchio

9h00 till 17h00 Errol Boyley Retropsective Art Exhibition entitled ‘Conteporary Realism Mastered’    at the Riverbend Crocodile Art Gallery 

11h00 BEACH PICNIC The Alan Paton Centre’s Nazim Gani Head and Senior Librarian at the Alan Paton Centre. will present the story of Allan Paton and his life works in the delightful setting of the beach lawns in front of the WhaleBack Cottage on Ramsgate’s Little Billy Beach, this is where his book “Cry The Beloved Country” was completed in 1946.

We encourage festival visitors to pack their picnic hampers, don their sun hats and bring along their deckchairs to what is expected to be one of the festival highlights.  

11h30 String Quartet on the Rocks will entertain picnic visitors on Ramsgte Little Billy Beach

16h30 for 17h00 Gela Tolken presents “The Words We Use”. The Jewelry Exhibition will be held at Artists’ Gallery in Ramsgate.

18h00 South Coast Spring Wine Festival – 30 estates presenting over 200 wines at Riverbend Crocodile Farm tickets cost R120 per person and include snacks and your tasting glass.

18h30 Lions Quizz evening which is hosted at The Ramsgate Village Hall

19h00 El Gato Portuguese Restaurant will be hosting Latin American sensation “Mama’s & Papa’s

`The Ramsgate area is rapidly becoming renowned for things creative and this literary event initiative will enhance this reputation and provide residents and visitors with a great opportunity to savor the beautiful coast and the richness of language and the arts’ says Ugu South Coast Tourism’s CEO Mr. Justin Mackrory.