Then there was Johannesburg. This has been considered by many to be the richest city in Africa, especially those pesky economist types. The creative writing workshop in this town was run by Yewande Omotoso and Saaleha Idrees Bamjee.
Omotoso is celebrating a “happy birthday” today (Happy Birthday to you!) but she isn’t just about being older. She has a book out called Bom Boy published by Modjadji Books that I really loved. And I wasn’t the only one as she was shortlisted for the Etisalat Prize last year narrowly losing out on the big prize. This year she was selected to be a Miles Morland Scholar proving that her writing is something serious.
Bamjee on the other hand is a poet and prose writer as well as a photograper who won last years Writivism short story competition. She was also kind enough, which I always appreciate, to share her pictorial experience of the whole thing.
Being mentored by these folks were Saaleha Bhamjee (another one go figure) Greta Schuler, Siyabonga Lerumo, Chivimbiso Gava, Chris Djuma, Hellen Herimbi, Jafta Odendaal, Khanyile Joseph Mlotshwa, Lerato Molisana, Michelle Ainsile, and Chumisa Ndakisa.
Here is a sample of tweets from the event;
Day 2 of #writivism2015 Johannesburg. We are talking through craft, curiosity and the beauty of brevity.
— saaleha bamjee (@saaleha) January 24, 2015
Incredibly constructive day of critique at #writivism2015 in Johannesburg. Loving the feedback!
— Michelle Ainslie (@PoetMichA) January 24, 2015
Super inspired to dedicate my life to the craft… Thank u @Writivism @yomotoso @saaleha #writivism2015
— Michelle Ainslie (@PoetMichA) January 26, 2015
Workshop over, we said goodbye to friends. The great wizardry with writers is that they are with you even when they leave. #writivism2015
— saaleha bamjee (@saaleha) January 26, 2015
@writivism Its been an eventful journey with shared memories. My writing will never be the same after this #writivism2015 #africanwriters
— Shabaka (@menofafrika) January 25, 2015
@Writivism just something @yomotoso said 🙂 Loved the anonymous critiquing. Worked brilliantly #writivism2015
— Afrocentric Muslimah (@AfrocentricM) January 25, 2015
The #Writivism2015 experience has enriched my understanding of literature, my journey with word will never be quite the same.
— Chi Gava (@Chi_Gava) January 25, 2015
Powerful session @Writivism2015. Really appreciating the sharing of knowledge. Edit your work! #Writivism2015.
— Shabaka (@menofafrika) January 24, 2015
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