PAGECAST

Pagecast recorded live at the Kingsmead Book Fair, where Caitlin Venniker sat down with Kelly Mawa from Jonathan Ball Publishers to talk about her debut book, Unleashed.

In this episode, Caitlin shares the stories and experiences behind the book -- a candid look at life as a South African vet navigating two worlds, and the rescue animals who have found their way into her heart along the way.

Caitlin Venniker is a South African vet and award-winning writer who divides her time between South Africa and the Middle East. She shares her life with a collection of rescue animals, including a scruffy desert dog and a one-eared cat. Unleashed is her debut book.

Unleashed is out now and available at all good bookstores.

Pagecast recorded live at the Kingsmead Book Fair, where Karabo Poppy sat down with Gontse Mosiane from Jonathan Ball Publishers to talk about her latest book, Hugged by The Night.

In this episode, Karabo shares the vision and inspiration behind the work -- a celebration of the African aesthetic told through bold, contemporary illustration.

Karabo Poppy Moletsane was born in 1992 in Vereeniging, South Africa. She is an illustrator, graphic designer, and road artist based in Johannesburg, and is passionate about the preservation of the African aesthetic. Her work explores rich narratives with a contemporary and bold visual language that has earned her recognition both locally and internationally.

Hugged by The Night is available now at all good bookstores.

Pagecast recorded live at the Kingsmead Book Fair, where David Mann sat down with Maryam Adams from Jonathan Ball Publishers to discuss his debut short fiction collection, Once Removed.

In this episode, David reflects on the stories behind the collection -- a sharply observed body of work that has already made its mark on the South African literary landscape.

David Mann is an award-winning writer, editor, and art critic who has written and edited for numerous art publications. He currently works as writer for the arts incubator The Centre for the Less Good Idea, and is a co-founder of Writers' Block, a Johannesburg-based arts writing collective. His short stories have appeared in local and international journals including Strange Matters (USA), Portside Review (AU), and Imbiza Journal (SA), among others.

Once Removed was published in 2024 by Botsotso. It won the Thomas Pringle Short Story Prize and was shortlisted for both the NHISS Award and the Nadine Gordimer Award for best short story collection.

Once Removed is available now at all good bookstores.

Pagecast recorded live at the Kingsmead Book Fair, where Lebo Mazibuko sat down with Zwanga Nemanshi from Jonathan Ball Publishers for a candid conversation about her latest novel, Fabrics of Love.

In this episode, Lebo reflects on the stories and inspirations behind the book - a moving exploration of love, identity, and the threads that connect us.

Lebo Mazibuko was born in Johannesburg and is currently based in Cape Town. She began her career in theatre before turning her focus to writing, and holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. Her debut novel, Bantu Knots, was shortlisted for the K. Sello Duiker Memorial Award at the South African Literary Awards in 2022. Fabrics of Love is her most recent work.

Fabrics of Love is out now and available at all good bookstores.

“When love hurts, what remains of who we are?”

In the final live Pagecast episode from the Franschhoek Literary Festival, Joy Watson sits down with Karina Magdalena Szczurek for a thoughtful conversation about Because I Love You, Joy’s latest book exploring gender, power, violence, and the complicated realities of love through the stories of three women.

Drawing from her work as a researcher, writer, and feminist storyteller, Watson reflects on the difficult questions the book asks about relationships, identity, survival, and what happens when love becomes harmful.

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Veruska De Vita speaks to Charlotte Bauer about Deep Blue.

Veruska De Vita is the author of Deep Blue, a love letter to the sea that explores humanity’s deep connection with water and the bliss of swimming, diving, dipping, and simply being in salt water.

The latest episode of Pagecast, recorded live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival, is out now.

“When love hurts, what remains of who we are?”

In the latest live Pagecast episode from the Franschhoek Literary Festival, Joy Watson sits down with Karina Magdalena Szczurek for a thoughtful conversation about Because I Love You, Joy’s latest book exploring gender, power, violence, and the complicated realities of love through the stories of three women.

Drawing from her work as a researcher, writer, and feminist storyteller, Watson reflects on the difficult questions the book asks about relationships, identity, survival, and what happens when love becomes harmful.

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Bronwyn Williams and Paige Nick are in conversation about AI, the economy, and the trajectories shaping the years ahead, in a way that actually makes sense.

Bronwyn Williams's new book is The Future.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist and business-trends analyst. She is the co-author of The Future Starts Now, Rescuing Our Republic and The Future, a columnist for leading business and technology publications, and a well-known global keynote speaker and media commentator on future trends and economic trajectories.

Paige Nick is a South African novelist, columnist, and advertising copywriter. She founded The Good Book Appreciation Society on Facebook, and has co-authored A Girl Walks Into a Bar, a series of choose-your-own-adventure erotic novels.

A little reminder to look up. Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Bridget McNulty and Sarah Bullen are in conversation about the small, glimmering moments that make up a year, and the practice of noticing them.

Bridget McNulty's new book is Daily Glimmers: The Art of Finding Tiny Joys Every Day of the Year.

Bridget McNulty began her career as a magazine journalist and has since written the novel Strange Nervous Laughter, The Grief Handbook, and her most recent book, Daily Glimmers. After being diagnosed with diabetes, Bridget co-founded the NGO Sweet Life Diabetes Community, through which she publishes books and a regular magazine. She also co-founded Now Novel, an online writing course.

Sarah Bullen is a multi-published author and renowned writing coach who leads international writing retreats and adventures in Europe and Africa. A former financial and magazine journalist, her most recent book The Other Side delves into stories of near-death experiences and spiritual encounters. Sarah's work reflects her passion for storytelling and exploration of the human spirit.

This one's pure joy.

Live from the Franschhoek Literary Festival Pagecast Studio, Africa Melane and Fehmz get into food, family, and the stories behind the recipes, and you can hear the laughter from a mile off.

Fehmz's debut cookbook Damn Good Food features over 80 recipes.

Fehmz is a city girl from Johannesburg chasing her dreams as a food, lifestyle and travel influencer. She is a strong believer in keeping things real and authentic, and her vibrant personality infuses every recipe with energy, colour, and bold flavours inspired by her Muslim heritage.

Africa Melane is a South African broadcaster, journalist, and moderator known for hosting the Early Breakfast Show on both CapeTalk and 702.

He is admired for his measured, inquisitive, and respectful interview style, and brings more than a decade of experience in South African broadcasting.