How we remember the past depends on who is writing the histories.
In a number of events at the Franschhoek Literary Festival in May this year, books by those who have lived through historical events or have researched them, will open the discussion into how the past is recorded and remembered.
(please note a number of events linked to this topic have already sold out and are not included here.)
Friday 13 May
[23] 13h00 Union Men
Labour columnist and journalist Terry Bell in conversation with union organiser-turned-businessman Johnny Copelyn about his memoir, The Maverick Insider, which covers the important years of building trade unions in South Africa from 1970s onwards.
[30] 14h30 Crossing Boundaries
Redi Tlhabi leads a discussion with Anemari Jansen (Eugene de Kock: Assassin for the State) and
If We Must Die author Stanley Manong (a former Commander of uMkhonto we Sizwe) about their books that deal with transgressions made by individuals in the name of politics.
Saturday 14 May
[82] 14h30 Life in exile
Amin Cajee (Fordsburg Fighter: The Journey of an MK Volunteer) and Stanley Manong share their stories of the turbulence of life in political exile and how this influences who and what they are today. With Justice Malala in the chair.
Sunday 15 May
[125] 13h00 The past is never past
Richard Steyn (Jan Smuts: Unafraid of Greatness), Anemari Jansen (Eugene de Kock: Assassin for the State) and John Matisonn (God, Spies and Lies) explore how the acts of famous, notorious, and significant people from the recent past reverberate today.
TICKETS: Tickets can be bought at Webtickets. Student tickets are available at R20 a ticket – valid student ID required.
PROGRAMME: For the full programme, visitÂ
