"Today I do not love my country"

So, my weekend consisted of studying, studying and more studying. Somewhere in between, I managed to squeeze in the Mail & Guardian Literary Festival. I first went to a poetry reading session where Denis Hirson and Ingrid de Kok recited some of their awe-inspiring poetry. Antjie Krog said about the session, "We have been truly alive for only 40 minutes today." I think that pretty much sums up the sheer brilliance of the experience that I had the privilege of being apart of. The second session that I went to was a panel discussion on the relationship between the ANC and COSATU and whether or not this relationship is still relevant. The panelists included Moeletsi Mbeki, Susan Booysen and Kally Forrest. It was quite a riveting discussion. Take these stats for example: 24% of people who vote for the ANC are employed full time. 9% are employed part-time. 66% of the ANC's electorate is unemployed, while only 8% have a tertiary education. Makes you think, doesn't it?

I'll leave you with a poem by Ingrid de Kok. She wrote it at the time of the xenophobic attacks in 2008. I think it really echoes my sentiments towards my country given the events that have occurred over the last few days. It's really something special- enjoy!

Today I do not love my country

South Africa, May 2008

Today I do not love my country.
It is venal, it is cruel.
Lies are open sewers in the street.
Threats scarify the walls.

Tomorrow I may defend my land
when others X-ray the evidence:
feral shadows, short sharp knives.
I may argue our grievous inheritance.

On Wednesday I may let the winded stars
fall into my lap, breathe air's golden ghee,
smell the sea's salt cellar, run my fingers
along the downy arm of the morning.

I may on Thursday read of a hurt child
given refuge and tended by neighbours,
sing with others the famous forgiving man
who has forgotten who were enemies, who friends.
But today, today, I cannot love my country.

It staggers in the dark, lurches in a ditch.
A curdled mob drives people into pens,
brands them like cattle,
only holds a stranger's hand
to press it into fire,
strings firecrackers through a child,
burns stores and shacks, burns.

Mail & Guardian Johannesburg Literary Festival 2011

 
Next weekend, I plan on going to the Mail & Guardian Johannesburg Literary Festival at the Market Theatre in Newtown. The festival runs from  2-4 September and hosts a variety of panel discussions which discuss Jo'burg as "both an African city and a world city" against a literary backdrop.

Here's the programme if you are interested. There's some really rad speakers on the panels. I'm eyeing   sessions 4, 5 and 7.

September 2
Keynote address -- The Johannesburg moment
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm
Venue: Main Theatre
Professor Karl von Holdt -- The Johannesburg Moment

September 3
Session 1 -- Not in black and white
Time: 9.30am to 11 am
Venue: Main Theatre
Chair: Darryl Accone
Panel: Fiona Forde
Antjie Krog
Sandile Memela
Andile Mngxitama

Session 2 -- Jo'burg: Renewing, restoring, reviewing
Time:11.30am to 1 pm
Venue: Kippies
Chair: Steven Sack
Panel: Gerald Garner
Noor Nieftagodien
Achille Mbembe
Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon

Session 3 -- Memories of the city
Time: 11.30am to 1pm
Venue: Laager Theatre
Chair: Jon Hyslop
Panel: Leslie Bank
Denis Hirson
Ufrieda Ho
Mbulelo Mzamane
Chris van Wyk

Session 4 -- Poetry
Time: 1.30om to 2.15pm
Venue: Kippies
Ingrid de Kock and Denis Hirson

Session 5 -- Workers of the world unite: Labour, the ANC and history
Time: 2.30pm to 4pm
Venue: Kippies
Chair: Nic Dawes
Panel: Kally Forrest
Susan Booysen
Moeletsi Mbeki

Session 6 -- Science fiction and fantasy in the city
Time: 2.30pm to 4pm
Venue: Laager Theatre
Chair: Gwen Ansell
Panel: Lauren Beukes
Louis Greenberg
Tom Learmont
Sarah Lotz

Session 7 -- Aspects of the South African novel
Time: 4.30pm to 6pm
Venue: Laager Theatre
Chair: Craig MacKenzie
Jane Rosenthal
Leon de Kock
Karabo Kgoleng

September 4
Session 8 -- Memory is the Weapon
Time: 9.30am to 11am
Venue: Main Theatre
Chair: Nic Dawes
Panel: Hugh Lewin
Ronnie Kasrils

Session 9 -- New writing from the city
Time: 11.45am to 1pm
Venue: Laager Theatre
Chair: Maureen Isaacson
Panel: Cynthia Jele
Jassy Mackenzie
Henrietta Rose-Innes 

These are some of the speakers that will be on the various panel discussions. Image of Antjie Krog (left) taken by Karina Turok. Found via this website. Image of Lauren Beukes (top right) taken by Victor Dlamini. Found via this website. Image of Moeletsi Mbeki (bottom right) taken by Jane Mingay. Found via this website.

If you want more information about the festival, or would like to book your seat, visit the Mail & Guardian's website. 

PS. I'm sorry that I have neglected you, poor poor blog. Varsity has been keeping me very busy indeed. I will try to pay more attention to you, I promise.