Exposing people to the joy of stories

WHITE RIVER – There were fairy lights and candles, glasses of wine and finger foods, well-known authors and incredible storytellers. There was a marimba band and gentle background music, poetry readings and good humour. But it was the 17-year-old outreach ambassador from KaBokweni who stole the show at the opening cocktail party for the first-ever Lowveld Book Festival at Casterbridge on Friday.

Bandile Sibuyi, a shy grade 12 learner from Khumbula High School, stood in front of many of his literary heroes and told a story of three cavemen searching for something missing in their lives. After some searching, one of the cavemen found what they had all been looking for.

“Water. That’s what describes words for me. They are nutritious, refreshing and essential. And I’m sure that most of us here share the same sentiments,” Sibuyi said.

“It’s such a delight and a privilege to be here. Thank you all for writing, thank you for reading. You have done and still are doing yourselves and all those around you a great service.”

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MC extraordinaire and well-known voice in the Lowveld, Dave Walters, allowed for the evening to run very smoothly with a few literary opinions – and jokes – of his own.

“We hope to expose children to the joy of stories and encourage them to read more than 140 characters,” Walters said.

He added that he hoped the festival would draw visitors and introduce them to the creative talent which exists in the Lowveld.

Party guests were also treated to a speech by former talk-show host and book event expert, Jenny Crwys-Williams, about how things can go seriously wrong at a book festival and how everyone will laugh about it afterwards.

Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre’s Louis van der Merwe thanked all the sponsors, authors and personalities for getting involved in the initiative, although he was concerned that online sales for the weekend were very low. “Lowvelders aren’t too good on computers,” he remarked. “We hope the Slowvelders will wake up tomorrow and come out.”

Athol Williams read two of his poems and recited a third, All I have are these words¸ which had the audience mesmerised. Lenore Zietsman had the crowd eating out of her hand when telling her story chosen for its heroine – in honour of Women’s Day – taking people back many years.

Also read: Author inspired by the stories of southern Africa

When the speeches and entertainment were over, people could move to the cinema to watch Happiness is a Four-letter Word, a film based on the book with the same name and introduced by its author, Nozizwe Jele.

For those who stayed behind, Casterbridge Music Development Academy’s students enchanted with acoustic versions of well-known older hits and some modern tunes. It was an opening event to remember and one that set the tone for a weekend of literary festivities.