Programme Diverse in Content

Last year the third annual Cape Town Book Fair broke the 50 000 attendance mark, with people streaming through the doors to celebrate the book.

They were captivated by the diverse  programme on offer with debates raging in discussion forums and the chance to meet authors.

For publishers it was an opportunity to show off their wares and to do business.

The fair has become one of the most popular events on the calendar, and is the biggest book event of its type in sub-Saharan Africa.

There is no reason to think that this year will be any different. We live in "interesting times" as Fair Director Vanessa Badroodien quotes from the ancient Chinese curse, but curses can also turn out to be blessings. In a time when pretty much everything costs a lot, and many people are cutting back it is good to know that the discussions and events that take place on publishers stands are free. Even more enticing is the notion that technical recessions, which we are now in don't mean that we are not free to think and debate, to engage with each other and to share ideas.

The programme this year is a wide-ranging one offering visitors everything from heavy debate on political satire, a topic made interesting in the furore that emerged when the SABC canned a programme on satire and Jacob Zuma at the last moment, but it's one that visitors to the fair will be able to engage in when Jonathan Shapiro, or Zapiro as he is better known, discusses cartooning as social commentary with Andy Mason the author of the forthcoming book What's So Funny: Under the Skin of South African Cartooning, to international bestselling popular author of chick-lit Adele Parks.

Or how about hearing Moeletsi Mbeki and Achille Mbembe in the Dalro Forum discussing: Hollow Men: Can Africa's leaders fulfull Africa's promise. Then there is Black Jerusalem, a presentation by Happy Ntshingila about the success of HerBuoys advertising campaign, this author and marketing mogul will be discussing South Africa's only black-owned advertising agency.

While you are listening to the debates and meeting authors, there will be plenty for children to do in the kidzone, from listening to stories, to face painting and crafts. It's the ideal place to introduce youngsters to the joys and possibilities of reading.

It's appropriate that fair is held at the Cape Town Convention Centre with its commitment to minimising its carbon footprint and Simon Gear will be sharing his eco-friendly tips from his book Going Green: 365 Ways to Change our World.

The language debate is likely to remain a popular and essential point of discussion in South Africa, after all how many countries have the task of dealing with 11 official languages and Maskew Miller Longman will be launching Alexander McCall Smith's first three books in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series in Afrikaans, with Erna du Toit talking about her experience of translating these charming books set in Botswana into Afrikaans.

Staying with matters fiscal Philippa Green will be talking about her book on former Finance Minister Choice,    Not Fate: The Life and Times of Trevor Manuel.

And just in case we forget that we are part of Africa with all its problems and promise 12 African publishers will be at the fair as part of a programme underwritten by the Goethe Institute.

You'll be able to hear a discussion entitled Africa Reads to Africa: Nigerian publishing and its increasing interconnectedness with the continent when Topyin Akinosho talks to Bankole Olayebi, the publisher of Bookcraft.

Human & Rousseau will  be introducing  Marie Heese' novel The Double Crown, the gripping tale of Hatshepsut the female pharaoh who  ruled over Egypt around 1500BC.

You'll be able to hear Kevin Bloom, Andre Brink and Max du Preez when they unpack Ways of Staying, a country that will not be forsaken in a discussion chaired by Professor Leon de Kock.

Badroodien says of the times we live in, "Our response as the Cape Town Book Fair, has been to upgrade the pleasure factor at the fair and a stunning array of stories and ideas await this year's fairgoers. It is a fact that many of the country's most prominent intellectuals come to the Cape Town Book Fair to discuss, debate and voice their opinions. The 2009 programme is as wide ranging and vast as ever. The book fair programme is a respected part of the Cape Town Book Fair and we encourage you to peruse the programme and make your choices early. The richness of this year's programme, as in previous years, contributes to everyone's cerebral needs in a very elegant way. It is tremendously reassuring that books are still seen as valuable and remain vital to South Africans.

"However, to misquote from one of our children's books "all is not dreary in the deep dark wood" as we also celebrate the art of storytelling, fine fiction and poetry. Political and environmental issues will be debated, together with globalisation and current affairs. British chick-lit author Adele Parks features strongly alongside South African John van de Ruit with his Spud-Learning to Fly. Crime in fact and fiction also features prominently with writers such as Antjie Krog and Deon Meyer."

John van der Ruit's fans will be able to meet him and to buy the newly-released copy of his book in the Spud series Spud - Learning to Fly.

A special privilege for those who manage to get tickets will be hearing Professor Mahmood Mamdani talking about Darfur and its prospects.

With a large and diverse programme you are guaranteed mental stimulation at its best, and the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Entry to the fair which is open from 13 to 16 June is R50 for adults (Exclusive Books Fanatics members get a 50% discount on entry, children accompanied with adults have free entry to the fair, as do students with valid student cards. There is plenty of parking available at the CTICC.

Whatever turns your pages you are likely to find at the fair, so be sure to browse through the programme which can be downloaded at http://www.capetownbookfair.co.za/.

To quote Charles W Eliot, "Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.~  ~Charles W. Eliot

Or if you enjoy a lighter more satirical take on life consider the advice of P.J. O'Rourke, "
Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it."