Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Spotlight on Education at 2011 Franschhoek Literary Festival

The 4th annual Franschhoek Literary Festival is on from 13 to 15 May this year, and one of the key aspects to be addressed in various panel discussions is that of literacy and education.


In How to Fix our Schools on Saturday 14 May at 10:00, Professor Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (Knowledge in the Blood), discusses solutions to current challenges faced in the South African education environment with Anne van Zyl, Head of the Oprah Winfrey Academy, and Melvin King, Head of Bridge House Primary, regulated (for once) by John Maytham.


Jansen also looks at the question Can Books Help to Heal a Nation? at 16:00 on Saturday 14 March with author Elinor Sisulu (co-founder of the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation) and Carole Bloch (co-ordinator of the PRAESA Early Literacy Unit at UCT). This session is chaired by SAfm’s Karabo Kgoleng.


In Leadership and Innovation Jansen debates fresh directions for South Africa with Justice Malala, economist Francis Wilson and sustainability consultant Camaren Peter at 10:00 on Sunday 15 May.

At 14:30 on Saturday 14 May Leon de Kock, Head of English at Stellenbosch University, puts three authors who teach creative writing – Kei Miller, Finuala Dowling and Kobus Moolman – on the spot with a leading question: Can You Teach Writing?


As part of the FLF’s commitment to create a reading and writing culture in the Franschhoek valley, the festival brings the grand finale of the Franschhoek Schools Spelling Bee on Saturday 14 May at 15:00, with primary school word experts spelling their way to glory.


The FLF is presented in association with Porcupine Ridge Wines and the Sunday Times, and is further made possible through the generosity of Franschhoek guest house owners and voluntary workers who give their time and energy to make it an event to remember. Ticket proceeds and other donations go towards the FLF Library Fund.

The full FLF programme is available on www.flf.co.za. Bookings are open and tickets can be booked on www.webtickets.co.za. Ticket prices remain unchanged at R60 per event, unless otherwise indicated.

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