KAROO NEWS - Educators and learners were inspired again at the annual Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival, presented in partnership with the Avbob Poetry Project in Nxuba (formerly Cradock) from 18 to 20 June.
The Avbob Poetry Project formed a cornerstone of the festival programme, offering a dedicated educator’s programme to equip teachers with practical creative writing, poetry and storytelling tools for classroom use.
Festival organiser Lisa Ker says the long-term value of investing in educators cannot be overstated.
“Every educator who attends the festival reaches hundreds of learners every year. By equipping teachers with creative tools and confidence, the Avbob Poetry Project extends its impact far beyond the festival itself. The ripple effect into classrooms and communities is enormous.”
The partnership between the Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival and the Avbob Poetry Project is a shared commitment to nurturing storytelling and multilingual poetry in South Africa, while making literature more accessible beyond urban centres.
The 2026 programme featured an exceptional line-up of authors, poets, performers and storytellers.
Highlights for educators and poetry enthusiasts included workshops and readings by acclaimed poet Stephen Symons, winner of the 2026 Olive Schreiner Prize for Poetry, as well as Avbob Poetry Project award-winning poets Zongezile Matshoba, writing in isiXhosa, and Clinton V du Plessis, writing in Afrikaans.
The educators also benefitted from sessions on digital storytelling and social media communication, presented by Tammy Southbey of Sunshine Simplicities, while an international author of young adult books, Jessica Powers, shared some insights into writing that resonates with younger audiences.
The educators’ programme created a rich learning environment aligned with literacy development and creative education. Highlights included David Muller performing Jan Glazewski’s powerful memoir, Blood and Silver, followed by a conversation with Glazewski himself.
Cradock locals Jimmy Simons, Luyolo Stengile and Freda Froehlich shared some stories from their memoirs. Literary enthusiasts attended Jeannie Wallace McKeown and Deborah Seddon’s talks at the Schreiner Museum, where their new poetry collections were launched.
Dorothy de Kok, winner of the International Writers of the Future Contest, discussed her short story, Thickly. Basil Mills, author and literary historian, captivated the audiences with tales of snakes and historical figures.
“The collaboration between the Avbob Poetry Project and the Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival created momentum that will continue long after the festival ends - building networks of creativity, inspiration and lifelong learning,” said Ker.
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