The Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) is delighted to announce that the 2026 festival will take place from 15-17 May 2026, once again transforming the Franschhoek valley into South Africa’s literary capital for a weekend of bold conversations, global perspectives and unforgettable storytelling.
The 2026 edition will feature a powerful line-up of international, pan-African and South African authors alongside a specially curated Family Day designed to inspire readers of all ages.
Says Jennifer Blane, Festival Programme Director: “The Franschhoek Literary Festival is a space where ideas meet imagination. In 2026, we are proud to present a line-up that reflects global thinking, African storytelling and South Africa’s literary excellence while also creating meaningful spaces for families and young readers to experience the joy of reading together.”
International Headliners in 2026 include:
• Peter Frankopan – internationally renowned historian whose sweeping global narratives, including The Silk Roads, have reshaped the way we understand world history. The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World was published by Bloomsbury in 2018 and won the Human Sciences prize of the Carical Foundation in 2019.
• Charlie Mackesy – artist, illustrator and author of the global bestseller The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Mackesy’s gentle drawings and reflections on kindness, courage and friendship have touched millions of readers worldwide.
• Tan Twan Eng – Booker-shortlisted novelist celebrated for his luminous prose and masterful historical storytelling.
• Alka Joshi – bestselling author of The Henna Artist, known for richly textured fiction that transports readers across time and culture.
• Rémy Ngamije – His debut novel The Eternal Audience of One received international recognition, including a Special Mention at the Grand Prix Panafricain de Littérature and the inaugural African Literary Award from the Museum of the African Diaspora. His latest collection, Only Stars Know The Meaning Of Space, showcases his award-winning fiction.
Local Headliners in 2026:
• Deon Meyer – Born in Paarl, Deon Meyer is one of South Africa’s most celebrated crime writers. A former journalist and communications specialist, he is now a full-time author whose novels have been translated into more than 25 languages and have earned numerous international awards. Skorpio is his 20th book.
• Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen – South Africa’s first Michelin-starred chef, he is a restaurateur, author and storyteller behind acclaimed establishments including JAN in Nice and JAN Franschhoek. He has published sixteen volumes of JAN the Journal and several cookbooks, including his latest, JAN Voyage Cookbook, inspired by his culinary journeys through Italy and France.
• Thebe Ikalafeng – Thebe Ikalafeng, the author of Rooted and Rising, is an African branding authority. He is the founder of BLG, a multi-disciplinary advisory group and the founder of the seminal non-profit Brand Africa movement for a brand-led African agenda which is widely referenced as the definitive barometer of brands in Africa.
• Sally Andrew – Sally Andrew is the internationally bestselling author of the beloved Tannie Maria mystery series, set in the small Karoo town of Ladismith.The latest Tannie Maria adventure, Wild Things Never Die, will be published in April.
• Justice Malala – Award-winning political analyst, author and broadcaster, Justice Malala is one of South Africa’s most respected commentators on democracy and governance. A former newspaper editor and columnist, he is the author of We Have Now Begun Our Descent and The Plot to Save South Africa, offering incisive analysis of the country’s political landscape. Through his writing and media work, Malala continues to provide sharp insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s future.
A major highlight of the 2026 programme will be the introduction of Family Day on Saturday, 16 May, featuring a dynamic line-up of events created especially for children, parents and multi-generational audiences.
The Family Day lineup includes:
Real Parenting in 2026: What’s changed – and what still matters
From screens and AI to boundaries, rights and emotional resilience, parenting has never felt more complex. Dr Claudia Gray (Dr Gray’s Real Parenting & Paediatrics) and Craig Wilkinson (Force for Good) sit down with Pippa Hudson to unpack what’s changed and the values, limits and connections that still matter most.
Stories That Shine with Refiloe Moahloli
Join celebrated children’s author Refiloe Moahloli (How Many Ways Can You Say Hello?) for a joyful family storytelling session. Through her vibrant books and unforgettable characters, she shares stories of courage, imagination and belonging — reminding young readers that their voices, dreams and stories matter.
Gcina Mhlophe: Mother of books
Join Gcina Mhlophe, celebrated storyteller and author of Thokozani the Eland, as she brings beloved African tales to life, weaving storytelling, poetry and song into a joyful, magical experience that invites little ones to dream, laugh and fall in love with books.
Big Dreams, Big Adventures
What does it take to cycle around a continent or cross wild oceans? Join Riaan Manser for a thrilling journey across oceans, deserts and icy landscapes. Sharing stories from his real-life expeditions and the children’s books they inspired as he celebrates curiosity, courage and adventure.
Ready, Set, Draw: Live Drawing With Alex Latimer
Author and illustrator Alex Latimer (Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth and The Duck Never Blinks) will bring his characters to life right before your eyes in a live-drawing demo. Attendees are encouraged to bring pencils, paper, their imagination and join in on the day.
The Family Day is grounded in the festival’s objective of nurturing a love of reading from a young age, while creating space for meaningful conversations about modern parenting, creativity and courage.
Through the ongoing work of the FLF School Reading Programme, the festival continues to support and encourage literacy development and access to books for learners in the valley.
The 2026 programme and ticket release will follow a phased rollout:
18 March 2026: Programme live on website + ticket sales open for FLF Members only
25 March 2026: Ticket sales open to the general public
The full programme details will be available HERE from 18 March 2026.
Over three inspiring days, Franschhoek becomes a vibrant meeting place for readers, writers and thinkers from across the globe, a space where history meets imagination, politics meets poetry, and families gather to share in the magic of stories.
Whether you are a devoted bibliophile or attending for the first time, the 2026 Franschhoek Literary Festival promises a weekend of insight, inspiration and connection.
WHAT: Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF)
WHERE: Franschhoek Town Hall & surrounding locations
WHEN: 15-17 May 2026
BOOKING: See above and VISIT
INFO: FLF VISIT
