29th
Time of the Writer
Literature. A Provocation for Change
17-22 March 2026
Join the 29th edition of the Time of the Writer Festival, themed Literature. A Provocation for Change. Experience inspiring conversations, thought-provoking panels, and creative storytelling with renowned authors. Explore the boundless power of words at this premier literary event. Discover, engage, and imagine a brighter future.
About the Festival
The Time of the Writer festival is an annual meeting ground of South Africa’s leading and newly published authors to engage with the public in a 6 day cultural immersion programme where literature is celebrated, showcased and discussed. There couldn’t be a better meeting ground than in Durban – one of two cities on the African continent which the enjoy the elevated status of a UNESCO City of Literature. The festival is presented both online and as an embodied live event featuring in total between 80- to 100 writers in conversation about both their books and the subjects that they write about.
The festival programme includes book launches, discussions, live readings, workshops and a dedicated online series featuring literary experts in the isiZulu language as well as a focused programme on developing creative writing. The latter is presented in partnership with the Wits Writing Centre. A series of community engagements features visiting authors at city libraries, community centres and at schools. Come and join an exciting and inspiring array of writers who discuss key themes such as racism, migration, xenophobia, gender-based violence, climate politics as well as ruminating about the sheer art of writing for creativity and imagination.
The Featured Author Programme
Each year the festival shines a spotlight on a Featured Author whose dynamic voice continues to grow new reading audiences, shape the direction of the literary landscape in South Africa and whose body of work demonstrates the power of South Africa’s constantly growing literary economy.
About the Curator
The Centre for Creative Arts is proud to announce Shafinaaz Hassim as the Curator of the 29th edition of the Time of the Writer festival and the Centre’s Emerging Arts Manager, Thalente Ndlovu as the Assistant Curator of the festival.
About UNESCO Poetry Day
UNESCO’s World Poetry Day and South Africa’s Human Rights Day is held each year on 21 March. The Time of the Writer festival honours these commemorative days with a special programme each year.
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Get in touch
Phone: +27 31 260 2506
Email: cca@ukzn.ac.za
Address: Centre for Creative Arts, Mazisi Kunene Ave, Glenwood, Durban, South Africa
Monday - Friday 08:00 to 16:30
The Centre for Creative Arts upholds Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Creativity as guaranteed in Section 16 of the South African Constitution. The Centre for Creative Arts recognises that artists may sometimes live and work in States whose values may not always be in accordance with the values of the South African Constitution but the Centre for Creative Arts commits to protect and advance the rights of any artist who freely chooses to participate in the Centre’s festivals where their voices and artistic expressions can contribute to building a better world for all people.