Karabo Jhamba

I’ve lived in Cape Town since 2011, yet somehow, the Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) always slipped through my fingers. Every year, I’d see the social media buzz after the event, kicking myself for missing it again. But in 2025, the universe intervened—while booking a race (that I didn’t even end up running), I spotted the FLF tickets on sale. A quick bank-account reality check later, I signed up for three Saturday sessions (the Friday ones I wanted were already sold out—note to self: set a 2026 reminder!).

Parenting two young kids means chaos is my default, and that Saturday morning was no exception. I left later than planned (someone’s shorts tore before her rugby game began so I had to look for another pair). A serendipitous phone call with my sister-cousin and grandmother turned the drive into a moment of calm.

Then, Franschhoek happened. If you’ve been there, you know the feeling: the moment you descend into the valley, the world softens. The vineyards, the cobbled streets, the way the mountains cradle the town like a secret—it’s instant therapy. For me, Franschhoek isn’t just a place; it’s a state of mind. It whispers: “Dream bigger. Breathe deeper.”

Highlights:

• Writing Workshop: My first session was a craft class, and within minutes, I remembered why I fell in love with storytelling.
• The Buzz: Attendees dashing between venues, dogs trotting beside their owners, book stalls packed with readers.
• Print Lives! As someone who feared screens were killing books, seeing piles of physical books being devoured was a relief.
• The Conversations: Panelists were razor-sharp, moderators well-prepared, and the audiences asked questions that mattered. No pretension—just passion.

I took almost no photos. Some experiences are meant to be felt, not curated.

The Only Regret? Not Staying Longer.

Next year, I’m:

1. Booking a guesthouse (to soak in the post-festival energy).
2. Signing up for more sessions (and finally catching those Friday talks!).
3. Making time to mingle – with authors, fellow bookworms, and that lovely barista at the corner café.

Have You Been to FLF?

• What was your favourite moment?
• Any tips for first-timers?
• Which authors or sessions blew your mind?

If you haven’t gone yet—why not?! Let’s swap stories in the comments.