About Authors and Indulging

It is imperative to indulge or spoil oneself with a treat, every so often, as it serves as a motivator.

Due to family and work demands, it is often expected of one to be all things to all people and then one forgets who really needs your attention – you.

Although indulgence often gets a bad rap, it is known to work wonders, such as making one less impulsive, improving work engagement, encouraging social behaviour, and strengthening friendships.

For several years now, my treat is attending the Franschhoek Literary Festival.

Towards mid-May every year, there is nothing in the way of my presence at this annual gathering of book writers and enthusiasts.

This year’s edition of the festival saw numerous acclaimed authors and the attendance of book enthusiasts over all three days achieving a record high.

Acclaimed writers included Caryn Dolley, Antjie Krog, Margie Orford, Patric Tariq Mellet, Deon Meyer, John van de Ruit and Venessa Govender.

Van de Ruit is known for his ‘Spud’ series, a collection of humorous coming-of-age novels, and three films based on his books.

The most famous author at the festival is thriller novellist Meyer, who primarily writes in Afrikaans but has had his books translated into 28 languages.

Govender, Krog, Dolley, and Orford have been involved in publishing several books since the beginning of their writing careers, which for all four began as reporters.

In her early career, Orford began publishing in a newly created Namibia. She was born in England but grew up in Namibia and South Africa.

Krog, an anti-apartheid activist who taught at a black high school and teachers’ college, now holds a professorship in academia.

Although known for her Afrikaans poetry, ‘Country of My Skull’ is a must-read for those interested in her reporting on South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Govender, an award-winning television news journalist who exposed domestic abuse in her best-seller ‘Beaten but not Broken’, is now a full-time mom and writer of children’s books.

She discussed her new book, ‘The Village Indian’ at the festival, a hilarious tale of chaos, culture clashes, and colourful characters living at a small town.

Luminaries at the festival, who recently published books but are more widely known in other areas of life, included Mathews Phosa, Thebe Ikalafeng, Obie Oberholzer and TJ Strydom.

Phosa, one of the first four members of the African National Congress (ANC) to initiate the negotiation with the country’s then government, is the former premier of South Africa’s Mpumalanga province.

He stood for election as president of the ANC in 2017 but lost to Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his memoir ‘Witness to Power’, Phosa recounts his journey through the tumultuous political transformations in his country.

Ikalafeng, who is renowned for his work for Nike and Colgate-Palmolive, was born and raised in Kimberley, South Africa’s diamond city.

The founder of Brand Africa, in his book ‘The Traveller’, recounts his rise from humble beginnings to marketing mogul advocating for a pan-African identity.

Next week, Obie Oberholzer, TJ Strydom and others at this year’s festival, but to end with a reminder, the time to indulge and spoil yourself could be overdue.

– Danny Meyer is reachable at danny@smecompete.com

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