PAGECAST

Welcome to Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, a special edition of the regular podcast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Usually, we explore the latest in literature year-round, but in this episode, we're coming to you straight from the heart of the Open Book Festival—Cape Town's annual celebration of South African literature in an international context. In these festival-exclusive episodes, we sit down with some of the most inspiring voices in literature to delve into their stories, insights, and the powerful narratives that shape our world. Let's dive into the pages together!

In this episode, we chat with the phenomenal Gothataone Moeng, author of the short story collection Call and Response. Gothataone was interviewed by Nompumelelo Mgidlana, Publicist at Jonathan Ball Publishers. Join us as we explore the powerful themes and voices that define her work.

“Dis politici wat oorlog verklaar, nie ons nie. Ons het gedoen wat ons geglo het ons moes doen en hulle [die vyand] ook . . .” - Marco Caforio, ouddienspligtige

Op 10 Junie 1980 gedurende 'n eindelose dag van bloedige gevegte onder die Angolese son is 13 lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag dood en etlike beseer toe 61 Gemeganiseerde Bataljon Groep 'n kompleks van Swapo-basisse in die suide van Angola aangeval het.

Gedurende Operasie Sceptic het tweede luitenant Paul Louw sy peleton in vier Ratels na die slagveld by die doelwit Smokeshell gelei. In die chaos wat daardie dag gevolg het, is 12 dienspligtiges in sy peleton van 44 noodlottig gewond en hy is self ook beseer. Een van sy troepe, die 18-jarige HP Ferreira, is met 'n 14,5 mmmasjiengeweer deur sy pelvis geskiet en hy is ook deur etlike AK-47 koeëls getref. Hy het wonderbaarlik oorleef.

Louw, nog met die bloed van sy manne aan sy klere, en 'n handjievol ander soldate het die aand deurgebring in 'n Ratel wat deur 'n RPG-vuurpyl getref is. Hulle was heeltemal afgesny van die res van die aanvalsgroep en het nie geweet of hulle die son sou sien opkom nie.

In Bloedbroers vertel van die oorlewendes van hul ervarings tydens die geveg. Dit werp ook lig op wat met soldate gebeur nadat die laaste skote afgevuur is en volg die veterane toe hulle vier dekades ná die operasie vir die eerste keer na die slagveld teruggekeer het.

Join us for a special episode of Pagecast as the Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, sits down with renowned filmmaker and naturalist Craig Foster. Craig shares insights from his latest book, Amphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World, a captivating memoir that explores his adventures in the Great African Seaforest and beyond. Discover how embracing nature can transform our lives and deepen our connection to the world around us. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about living in harmony with the environment.

#Pagecast #AmphibiousSoul #CraigFoster #NatureConservation #WildlifeFilmmaker #SouthAfricanAuthors #EnvironmentalMemoir #MyOctopusTeacher #SeaChangeProject #WildnessInNature #SouthAfricanWildlife #Memoir #BookPodcast #CapeTownMayor

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Today's episode features Killer Stories - Conversations with South African serial murderers!

‘If you made me angry, for that anger to go away, I have to get hold of you . . . I have to do something to you.’

These chilling words were spoken by one of South Africa’s most feared serial killers during an interview with Brin Hodgs-kiss in one of the country's most secure prisons.

Hodgskiss earned his doctorate in psychology through a study based on interviews with thirteen serial killers. His recordings remained untouched until recently, when top true-crime podcaster Nicole Engelbrecht discovered his paper online. This led to the creation of Killer Stories.

Killer Stories intertwines the killers' accounts, the true-crime events behind them, and Hodgskiss's own journey as a psychologist, leading to a profound understanding of these complex minds.

In this episide Brinn and Nicole chat to one another regarding their love of True Crime, psychology and the process that went into creating this book.

Enjoy!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Today's episode features We Were Perfect Parents Until We Had Children

by Vanessa Raphaely and Karin Schimke

Having kids is a baffling endeavour beset with sulk, meltdowns, anxiety and disappointment and that’s just the parents! When you get that call to the principal’s office? When the school acceptances don’t come? When the bedroom door slams and you hear your child sobbing behind it? All awful but it’s also a precious time, both hellishly challenging and full of joy. The trick? To find a way to enjoy our families, love our children and believe in them. And laugh . . .

In this book, Vanessa Raphaely and Karin Schimke have gathered together experiences and insights from The Village members. These are the gems and remedies from the real parenting experts, the parents to help you raise your family in your own perfectly imperfect way.

In this episide Vanessa is in conversation with CapeTalk radio host and parent of two, Lester Kiewit.

Enjoy!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Today's episode features Crash and Burn by Glenn Orsmond.

This insider’s tale, narrated by Glenn Orsmond, chronicles the South African airline industry over the past thirty years, highlighting the dramatic collapse of Comair in 2022.

Orsmond, twice the CEO of Comair and founder CEO of 1time, guides readers through the fiercely competitive low-cost airline sector that surged after the 1990s. Comair, operating Kulula and British Airways, and 1time led this wave, transforming domestic flying and tourism.

Despite a 75-year profit history, Comair fell due to the pandemic, regulatory issues, and poor management decisions. Expect stories of industry legends, innovations, fierce competition, pilot-accountant conflicts, union-boss disputes, and shareholder-director battles.

In this episode, Glenn engages in a captivating conversation with David O'Sullivan, Broadcaster, Writer and Media Consultant.

Enjoy!

In this engaging episode, David Gorin sits down with Richard Steyn to delve into his latest book, Rhodes and His Banker. Explore the intricate relationship between Cecil Rhodes and his financier, uncovering the historical and economic forces that shaped their era. This episode is a must-listen for history enthusiasts and those intrigued by the dynamics of power and finance.

More about the book:

Rhodes and his Banker is an account of the remarkable friendship between a larger-than-life historical figure and a modest, unassuming banker, both of whom were personally involved in all the major political and financial developments in Southern Africa during the closing decades of the 19th century.

Intertwining dual narratives of Cecil John Rhodes as rapacious entrepreneur with the Standard Bank under Sir Lewis Michell tiptoeing in his wake to become the biggest bank in Africa, Steyn recounts how colonialism and capitalism took root in South Africa and Rhodesia.

RhodesAndHisBanker #RichardSteyn #CecilRhodes #SouthAfricanHistory #BookPodcast #History #AuthorInterviews #DavidGorin #BookDiscussion

This week on Pagecast, Wamuwi Mbao is joined by acclaimed author Femi Kayode to discuss his gripping new psychological thriller, Gaslight. In this much-anticipated sequel to his acclaimed debut, forensic psychologist Philip Taiwo returns—this time to investigate a mysterious disappearance that leads deep into the shadowy secrets of a powerful church.

From the opening chapter, Gaslight pulls readers into a suspenseful world of corruption, power, and psychological tension, where nothing is as it seems. As Taiwo digs deeper, he finds himself entangled in a web of lies, wealth, and religious influence—raising urgent questions about morality, truth, and trust in modern-day Nigeria.

🎧 Don’t miss this compelling conversation about faith, justice, and the complexities of human motivation.

#GaslightByFemiKayode #FemiKayode #PagecastPodcast #CrimeFiction #PsychologicalThriller #BookDiscussion #AfricanLiterature #PhilipTaiwo #BookPodcastUK #WamuwiMbao

High Times is the true story of Michael Medjuck, whose taste for weed, women and the good life led him from late-1960s Johannesburg to notoriety as one of the biggest hash and weed smugglers in North America.

From his base in Vancouver, Michael built up a smuggling network that supplied dealers in scores of cities across Canada and the United States. The proceeds of smuggling afforded this former King David High School pupil a lifestyle of hedonistic excess – the finest wines, the most glamorous hookers, the best weed in the world.

In 1991, Michael was nabbed by US federal agents while smuggling an enormous shipload of Afghani hash into the West Coast of Canada. Put on trial as the scheme’s mastermind, Michael was convicted and sentenced to 24 years behind bars. His US prison experiences, from dingy county lock-ups to brutal federal penitentiaries, are the stuff of legend. Eventually, a chance remark to his lawyer led to his early release and return to Canada.

After barely a year of freedom, Michael was again arrested – this time in Spain for an ill-judged cocaine-smuggling venture – and sentenced to another prison term of nine years.

This is Michael’s extraordinary story, as told to fellow South Africans Roy Isacowitz, author and journalist, and the late Jeremy Gordin, award-winning journalist, editor and author.

Roy Isacowitz is an author and journalist, now retired in Tel Aviv.

The late Jeremy Gordin is an award-winning journalist, editor and author.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. 

Todays episode features the phenomenal Justin Fox chatting about his latest book - The Wolf Hunt.

The Wolf Hunt is the second book in the thrilling Jack Pembroke series, each of which is a stand-alone story.

In this book - Lieutenant Jack Pembroke moves from England to South Africa, where he commands an anti-submarine flotilla in Cape Town. He must quickly prepare his men for Nazi U-boats threatening the vital Cape convoy route during World War II. With Rommel's forces active in North Africa, this sea route is crucial for Allied supplies. The enemy, led by kapitan Wolfgang Brand, also carries a South African spy intent on sabotage. Jack's mission to escort a convoy to Durban while evading U-boats becomes a tense cat-and-mouse game, pushing him and his men to their limits in "The Wolf Hunt."

In this episode, Justin is in conversation with novellist and lecturer Dr Ronald Irwin.

Enjoy!