A festival dedicated to the power and promise of WORDS
in every incarnation, written, spoken and sung – informing, questioning, entertaining and enlightening – imagining and inspiring a
better world.
NIROX supports all disciplines in the cauldron of contemporary art.
is the inaugural edition of an annual festival that brings multiple disciplines together to examine the world of WORDS and their profound universal influence.
This year’s title
invites artists and audience to finish the question as they may ...why the world is the mess that it is... the challenge and the joy...why is it at all?
Drawing on Nelson Mandela’s unfinished memoir, Dare Not Linger is the remarkable story of his presidency told in his own words and those of distinguished South African writer Mandla Langa. In celebration of the release of this significant publishing phenomenon, Achmat Dangor and Verne Harris discuss the legacy of this larger-than-life man with Dr Sebabatso Manoeli.
Four women explore the origins and power of words to create identity
Speculative fiction is the novelist’s answer to imagining and creating a new world. Two authors chat with Dave De Burgh about a genre that is sweeping the world and constructing new ones.
Stories come in all shapes and sizes. Multi-disciplinary storytellers discuss film, poetry, photography and literature in the canon of expression.
Join photographer and curator of Thorolds, Merwelene van der Merwe, and author of The Printmaker, Bronwen Law-Viljoen, as they discuss with curator and artist Stephan Erasmus the woes and joys of inheriting, discovering and finding treasures in a library of books – both in real and imagined life.
For a new breed of social entrepreneurs, striving to build and grow enterprises that fight social ills, foster opportunity, and help to improve society, the answer is not can, it’s must. From healthcare to mobile gaming, from education to recycling, from dancing to gardening, these are the game-changers, the difference-makers, the doers of good. Here are their stories.
Twee skrywers praat met Prof Willie Burger oor kuns en kultuur, geskryf in Afrikaans.
Talking about the Jozi music scene in the 80s & 90s.
Join blogger-author Howard Feldman and trend analyst John Sanei as they predict our future – what will change and what will not.
Getting out of your own head and into someone else's is what makes a good character. Discussing the search and creation of rich characters and worlds are Taiye Selasi and Lauren Beukes with Edward Tsumele.
Is there any? Two authors explore with Mandla Nkomfe and Dr Geci Karuri-Sebina.
A veteran journalist and shadow Minister of Justice discuss rights and writes
Is Fake News real, or just a fake? A session in conjunction with AmaBhungane.
Discussing the power of the pen to change the world are two writers and a feminist activist with Christa Kuljian.
Two seasoned investigative journalists talk crime, corruption and conspiracy with Shaka Sisulu.
A book is, in of itself, an idea, a conveyor of meaning. Bronwen Law-Viljoen and Terry Kurgan, the editors and co-directors of Fourthwall Books, discuss the book as a visual work of art.
Alice Edy is a young literature masters student who chose for her masters dissertation an exploration of Willem Boshoff’s seminal concrete poem from the 70s “verskanste openbaring” (obscured revelation) through which she met artist and was captured by the revelation of words and their role in visual arts.
Steven and Kate Sidley and friends host a not-to-be-missed bookclub brunch full of books, bubbly and treats from Louise Gelderblom’s new book - Eat Your Words. Special guests include Jenny Crwys Williams and Louise Gelderblom.
The celebrated food writer and grower talks patrons through Leafy Greens’ bespoke lunch while Antonia gives valuable insights into sourcing and preparation.
Join The Tradition for authentic South African fare whilst Anna Trapido talks to Mpho Tshukudu and Hope Malau about how food shapes identity.
'If it can be written or thought, it can be filmed' - Stanley Kubrick. Screenwriter and author’s talk about manipulating words from the page to the screen.
Two visionaries revisit indigenous wisdom as a way to shape the future.
Four authors consider how with words we can imagine it, dream it and make it happen.
A safe, sacred space for intergenerational conversation.
The band tells its story - where they come from, where they are now, and where they are headed. Relevant indigenous music that is not trapped in the past, embracing the now of a global community.
Celebrated Scottish singer, songwriter and frontman of Frightened Rabbit performs solo acoustic alongside friend and poet, Michael Pedersen.
Baba Madala Kunene the “King of Zulu Guitar” has shared the stages many times with Mazisi Kunene, accompanying his booming baritone with melodies as striking as Professor Kunene’s words.
Zosukuma Kunene aka Young Nations is a world-traveled hip hop artist who captures the imagination with innovative word play and thought-provoking rap lyrics.
The folk starlet performs her selection from the world’s iconic poet and songwriter.
The roots reggae outfit pay homage to activist, humanitarian, poet and reggae legend.
Homage to ground-breaking singer, actor, United Nations goodwill ambassador and human rights activist.
The effervescent Chris Chameleon presents his compositions of Ingrid Jonker poems.
Taiye Selasi explores what it means to be Afropolitan with fellow Afrikan Bongani Modondo
Talking to Archbishop Tutu’s central theme of Forgiveness
Talking to Archbishop Tutu’s central theme of Hope
Talking to Archbishop Tutu’s central theme of Joy
Talking to Archbishop Tutu’s central theme of Goodness
Challenging opinion through film. The film director introduces the Sundance phenomenon.
Fundamentals of screenwriting for non-screenwriters.
About Alice’s conversion from literary student to artist and her epiphany on confronting the druid, Willem Boshoff.
Prof.Raimi Gbadamosi /
Gordon Froud /
Richard Forbes /
Ruann Coleman /
Stephan Erasmus /
Alice Edy /
Susan Woolf /
"Willem is woven in the fabric of the NIROX residency program. He was our first resident in 2006 and has returned regularly to extend his interests and build on the ideas that he has fostered here. His presence is a huge pleasure for everyone at NIROX. Even more so this year, with his exuberance and endless thoughts…and the promise of his new work in the park."
NIROX Foundation Trust
"Willem Boshoff is amongst South Africa’s leading conceptual artists, with a practice ranging through performance, video, text and sound, but inherently steeped in a three dimensional view – using found objects and natural materials, over which he asserts a vast ‘Druidic’ knowledge and technical mastery."
Claire & Edoardo Villa Will Trust
‘As a conceptual artist, Willem Boshoff’s work is about communicating ideas. His practice as an artist involves the roles of activist, anarchist and druid. He likes to challenge our thinking and to make us aware of the interconnectedness of all things.’
‘As activist and anarchist his protest works speak to local histories as much as global instances of injustice and greed - distaste for US cultural imperialism and the more negative aspects of global culture.’
‘The role of Druid, says the artist, really started with the dictionaries. And with his affinity to trees, from childhood. He has always felt close to them and studied them.’
Helene Smuts 2017
A performance of Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ in the ancient Indian tradition of Kathakali – gesture without words, in collaboration with Wits University departments of Drama and English literature, led by the Mellon Chair in Indian Studies.
A collaborative reinterpretation with words, gesture & music, of The Prophecy & Dirge of the Palm Race, excerpts from Mazisi Kunene’s epic poem Emperor Shaka the Great.
Premier South African performance of original stage adaptation of Justice Revealed, an excerpt from Mazisi Kunene’s epic poem Emperor Shaka the Great, developed and performed internationally including Poetry Africa and Mandela Day, Los Angeles.
In the footsteps of her father, activist and imagineer Lamakhosi gives new life to Dirge of the Palm Race, an excerpt from Mazisi Kunene’s epic poem Emperor Shaka the Great.
Poet, dancer & singer Jessica Mbangeni performs Dirge of the Palm Race, an excerpt from Mazisi Kunene’s epic poem Emperor Shaka the Great, in its original isiZulu.
Two one-hour group breathwork sessions inspired by the power of words, with Dr. Ela Manga. Ela will be present throughout the day to talk about breathwork and arrange private sessions.
The Shabd Guru is not just any sound. It is not just a wise sound, or a song of truth. It is a sound that cuts away the ego which obstructs the truth from you. Experience Naad yoga - co-mingling Kundalini yoga and chanting. Ethereal musical accompaniment courtesy of The Urban Village.
A two-hour writing workshop, inspired and shaped by words - writing, reading, breathing and living them. Ignite your soul song along a journey of literary landscapes at the Write of Passage Pen Sessions. A melting pot of words, from soul to page - penned by you, facilitated by Room 206. Learn how to unblock your creative energy and let go through a tailored workshop, designed to inspire your writing, heal your stuckness and feed your originality. Limited space. Book today. More info at www.writeofpassage.co.za
Through his jovial, yet profound manner Swami Vishwaparanthapananda shares his wisdom with all who wish to grow the awareness of joy, love and peace within themselves.
Based on Ecology, Permaculture and The Rise of Africa, PlantNation will be discussing their quest to educate and grow a new age of African farmers towards a more sustainable lifestyle within South Africa. Presented by David Jaffe and Saul Joshua Abelson.
Wise women understand the multiple inter-connections in the web of life, passed on from generation to generation - oracles, for reverence and use of plants and herbs.
The celebrated Scottish poet comes to the highveld. “Michael’s poems are so physical you can almost touch the images in them. Fabulously sensual and alive. I adore poetry like this” - Stephen Fry
A mix of poetry and discussion exploring how poetry can change our world
A mix of poetry and discussion on how, with words, we can make the world a better place.
Keeping visible the voices of South African poets in the country’s landscape of published works, the Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award announces the winners for 2018.
Poet-in-residence and Sol Plaatje Winner 2015/2016 Athol Williams, and friends.
Watch the sunset with the forest at your back – poetry performances and readings
Bring your words to the tree. Join the open mic spoken poetry sessions, by Room 206. A two hour tango of words - for poets, by poets. All poetry welcome. Performers may select Original or Authored Poems of choice. Come speak. Come watch. Come be inspired by the ones that breathe air into their pens. Free Entry. Pre-registration essential. Email us to register your performance: courtney@room206.co.za
Indoor works, including a contemporary take on the ‘book’ as art object and the ‘art object’ as book.
Originally published in 1979, the launch celebrates the first isiZulu edition of Prof. Mazisi Kunene’s epic poem: Emperor Shaka the Great.
Roger Ballen is one of the most important and original art photographers working today. Best known for his probing, often challenging images that exist in a space between painting, drawing, installation and photography, yet until now, no comprehensive retrospective on this highly regarded artist has been released.
Based on an entirely new appraisal of Ballen’s archive, one that looks beyond his monographic projects for the first time, Ballenesque takes the reader on a visual, chronological tour of the photographer’s entire oeuvre, including both the iconic images and previously unpublished works. At the heart of the book is Ballen’s own exploration of his style – of those particular qualities that make his work so compellingly his own.
Nelson Mandela’s unfinished sequel, completed by Mandla Langa
Springbok cyclist’s inspirational, engaging memoir of endeavour – surviving a bewildering childhood.
Introducing Malaika, a normal young girl, slightly shy, sometimes mischievous, but with one difference: she’s open to the reality of the spiritual world. When Rafiki, her guardian angel, makes its presence known, she is bursting with questions about Rafiki's life. What follows is a memorable trip with Rafiki, where Malaika is introduced to new experiences that will change her life forever.
Reflections of an incurable collector: Jeff Fisher‘s passion for more than half a century has been for collecting handwritten, original letters, antique documents, manuscripts, old share certificates, fire insurance policies, photographs and maps.
The writers of these words on paper include kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, admirals and generals, actors and authors, judges and prisoners, philosophers, statesmen, explorers, scientists, and sportsmen. Some were famous, some infamous, some important, others less so. Many you will know much about already – names that resonate through history like Eisenhower, Wellington, Napoleon, Kennedy, Mandela, Shackleton, Scott. And the links a collector is able to make in discovering connections, tracking down information, teasing out clues and pulling seemingly obscure threads together make this an engaging journey for readers.
Steven and Kate Sidley and friends host a not-to-be-missed bookclub brunch full of books, bubbly and treats from Louise Gelderblom’s new book - Eat Your Words. Special guests include Jenny Crwys Williams and Louise Gelderblom.
The Queen of Storytelling will wow you with stories in many South African languages
Introducing Malaika, a normal young girl, slightly shy, sometimes mischievous, but with one difference: she’s open to the reality of the spiritual world. When Rafiki, her guardian angel, makes its presence known, she is bursting with questions about Rafiki's life. What follows is a memorable trip with Rafiki, where Malaika is introduced to new experiences that will change her life forever.
This delightful story of rhyming verse, accompanied by charming illustrations, is a must for all young South African children. And if parents/grandparents/carers aren’t sure how to pronounce ‘hello’ in all 11 official languages, there is a CD of the text, narrated by the author herself, to guide with authentic pronunciation.
Outdoor screening of Inxeba, with preceding talk by director John Trengrove.
Challenging opinion through film. The film director introduces the Sundance phenomenon.
Fundamentals of screenwriting for non-screenwriters.
‘If it can be written or thought, it can be filmed’ - Stanley Kubrick. Screenwriter and author’s talk about manipulating words from the page to the screen.
Join Organic goddesses Jane Griffiths and Antonia De Luca of Leafy Greens as they serve up a vegan feast, and chat books, organic gardening and new recipes.
Steven and Kate Sidley and friends host a not-to-be-missed bookclub brunch full of books, bubbly and treats from Louise Gelderblom’s new book - Eat Your Words. Special guests include Jenny Crwys Williams and Louise Gelderblom.
Join The Tradition for authentic South African fare whilst Anna Trapido talks to Mpho Tshukudu and Hope Malau about how food shapes identity.
Food on the Move at The Pavilion presents A SlowFood meal. Celebrating everything that is good, clean, and fair this spring, Food on the Move will offer various meals during the WORDS Festival that highlights seasonal produce.
Guest are encouraged to book in advance for the limited offerings
info@niroxwords.com
WORDS Literary Manager: Batya Bricker
batya@batyabricker.co.za
Events & Concert Manager: Lloyd-Anthony Smith
lloyd@niroxarts.com
General managers: Stephan & Tammy du Toit
tammy@niroxarts.com
stephan@niroxarts.com
