The 4th Annual Funda Mpondo International Literary Festival drew over 400 attendees from across the region between 2–4 September 2025, marking a significant rise in participation. Broadcast live on Inkonjane FM and Sajonisi Youth Radio 88.5, the festival provided a vibrant platform to celebrate the isiMpondo language, heritage and intergenerational storytelling.
Curated and directed by Nomawele Njongo, the three-day programme brought together national and international guests (from Ghana, Congo and Lesotho), traditional leaders, government representatives, academics, authors, librarians, storytellers, poets, film producers, councillors, school learners and partners. The programme was facilitated by Siphokazi Gambushe, Sinegugu Zukulu and Dr Gcina Mhlophe, guiding events from the opening dinner through Days 2 and 3.
Proceedings opened with the National Anthem by Jamakazi Bazana, followed by a call to action from Festival Director Nomawele Njongo:
“This is a call to action—to amplify our voices and tell our stories. They are the bridges between the wisdom of our elders and the dreams of our children. And we believe: a good reader is a good leader.”
At the Welcoming Dinner (Pholela Lodge), addresses were delivered by Mayor Cebisa Mazuza (Port St Johns), Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Mayor Nonkosi Pepping, and MEC for Arts and Culture, Sibulele Ngongo. MEC Ngongo spoke largely in isiMpondo, emphasising the importance of indigenous languages and stating that initiatives like Funda Mpondo should be fully supported by the Eastern Cape Arts and Culture Council.
Day 2 again opened with the National Anthem by Jamakazi Bazana. Key addresses came from Traditional Leader Nkosi Mkwedini, a municipal representative, a National Heritage Council representative (Matanato Ngwaila), and Monde Nkasawe, CEO of the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council. A two-hour intergenerational dialogue moderated by Nkasawe featured Dr Gcina Mhlophe (elder), Chantal Willie-Petersen (Wits, middle generation) and Lethu Nkwanyana (youth), focusing on heritage, storytelling and cultural preservation.
Panels included Global Narrative Bridges: Intergenerational Perspective with Prof Faith Ben-Daniels (Ghana) and Dr Gcina Mhlophe, moderated by Rita Ndonibi (Ghana); and Music Education as the Living Archive of Past Wisdom, Present Voices, and Future Echoes with Dr Phuti Sepuru (UNISA) and Chantal Willie-Petersen, moderated by Pumlile Nyobole (Clarkebury Agricultural School).
Day 3 began with a keynote by Dr Xolisa Tshongolo of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) on Orthography guidelines for isiXhosa and the future of isiMpondo, followed by IsiMpondo Language Reading: Indigenous Language Preservation with Nobesuthu Moni and Nzaliseko Manqina. The day saw the historic launches of the Funda Mpondo International Literary Festival Magazine and the IsiMpondo Language Board, the latter appointed by Nomawele Njongo and expected to hold its first meeting in November 2025.
A standout discussion, From Page to Screen: How Publishers Can Collaborate with Filmmakers to Amplify African Stories, featured Unathi Memela (television content producer) and Christian Zas (Congo), moderated by Nomawele Njongo alongside Prince Khumbulani Hlongwane.
Multiple book launches were celebrated, including:
21 Letters (Palesa Makoatsa, Lesotho); Ndamitha Njani Singadibananga (Nozibele Maqutywa); Masiqhube Kusakhanya (Nomonde Makheswa Makaula); In Silence My Heart Speaks (Thobeka Yose); The Right to Live a Full Life (N. Nompumelelo Tobo Thabede); and Of Dreams and Blue Ixoras (Prof Faith Ben-Daniels).
A Play Your Part Corner was opened by Nomawele Njongo, a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, featuring Lwandile Gcume and Luvuyo Nongimba on nation-building, active citizenship and social cohesion. A Children’s Corner was facilitated by Nolie Vimba (Vellem Primary School).
Poetry performances included international, multi-award-winning poet Lethu Nkwanyana (KwaDukuza), Oyigiyonke Fono, Phila Matandabuzo, Ayabonga Ndungane, Madikane Phawu, and Sandiso Sinaze (board member, Poem, Comedy, and Storytelling Council of South Africa).
The festival’s community impact was underscored when Clarkebury Agricultural School won the Provincial HESOp Competition. The school will represent the Eastern Cape at the national finals. A week later, the festival’s impact was noted by MEC Sibulele Ngongo during her speech at the National Council of Provinces.
Notable guests included: Masibona Njongo (Festival Director’s mother), Princess Stella Sigcau, the South African Consulate General in Hong Kong, Chief Nandi Bushula, Prince Mbulelo Sigcau, Nomaitaly Njungwuni (Lusikisiki Standard Bank Manager), Dr Hlongwane, Somikazi Bonani (Ethekwini Libraries), Tembakazi (Port St Johns Standard Bank Manager), Seven Oaks Superspar Senior Manager Fumanekile Winson Ngcuku , Magwa Tea CEO Makatu Ramabulana and Gugu Hlatshwayo and Rovhofhololwa Mandiwana from NHC
Partners: National Heritage Council; Brand South Africa Play Your Part; Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council; OR Tambo District Municipality; Ingquza Hill Local Municipality; Port St Johns Local Municipality; Standard Bank; SANRAL; Seven Oaks Superspar; Boxer.
Exhibitors included KwaziThina Publishers, Eastern Cape Women Writers Association, Magwa Tea, Majola Tea, Lusikisiki crafters, independent authors, Standard Bank, Sanlam, Seven Oaks Superspar, and the octopus (Ethnomedicine Clinic and pharmacy).
The festival closed with the announcement of the 2026 theme, “African Stories in Conversation with the World,” which will introduce a new Academic Day. Media partners thanked included Eastern Cape Voice, Coastal Herald and Publishd Afrika Magazine, Izwi Lase Afrika, Pondoland Times, Herald Coastal, Lusikisiki Iindaba, Sajonisi Youth Radio and Inkonjane FM.
The Funda Mpondo International Literary Festival affirmed its role in fostering literacy, preserving heritage and inspiring new readers and writers.
