The 11th Knysna Literary Festival – the Garden Route’s only annual festival featuring an exclusive group of hand-picked South African authors – will take place from 6 to 8 March 2020, and The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa is, once again, set to host a few of the 2020 Knysna Literary Festival’s events.

Founded by Ling Dobson and sponsored by Gordon Shutte, Pam Golding Properties Knysna and Plettenberg Bay along with Investec Private Wealth to promote South Africa’s rich literary heritage, a few of the diverse and inspiring programme events will take place at The Turbine.

Situated on the picturesque Thesen Islands, in Knysna, revamped from a historical wood-burning power station 5-star The Turbine, with its fascinating blend of history and innovation is one of South Africa’s most unusual hotels.

“We’re proud of our hotel’s heritage and we enjoy supporting and featuring local talent”, says Chris Schutte, Turbine Hotel’s general manager, “and we’re also proud to be hosting the Knysna Literary Festival for the fifth year now”.

Experience books, food and entertainment, and stay at the gorgeous Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa – there are three fabulous discounted rates for Festival attendees – available from 5 March 2020, valid to 9 March 2020:

35% off for a one-night stay – R2 880 per room per night/B&B
40% off for a two-night stay – R2 660 per room per night/B&B
45% off for a three-night stay – R2 440 per room per night/B&B

The Festival has a diverse programme – with this year’s topics and books guaranteeing lively debate and discussions. Ronnie Kasrils, Adriaan Basson, Kgotsi Chikane, Anthea Gardner, Nechame Brodie, Mandy Weiner, Michael Sears, Lesego Tlhabi, and Ivo Vegter are a few of the featured authors, political commentators and celebrities.

Festival events taking place at The Turbine:

Friday 6 March
The Stellenbosch Mafia – Mandy Weiner, Pieter du Toit
18h00 – 21h00
Dinner and wine pairing included
R600 pp (Booking ref E)
Mandy Weiner (Ministry of Crime) chats to Pieter du Toit (Stellenbosch Mafia) about Stellenbosch and closely examines its ‘club’ of billionaires.

Saturday 7 March
Money Matters – Anthea Gardner, Chris Holdsworth, Ivo Vegter
09h30 – 10h30
R150pp (Booking ref F)
In this discussion with Anthea Gardner and Chris Holdsworth, we’ll consider practical advice for growing your money in rough seas and look ahead to see whether we’re headed for calmer waters or a rocky shore.

Three Bodies – Nechame Brodie
11h00 – 12h00
R150pp (Booking Ref G)
Nechame is a veteran journalist and bestselling author of six books. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including the Sunday Times and Mail & Guardian in a career spanning more than twenty years in the media. Three Bodies is her second novel.

Coconut Kelz – Lesego Tlhabi
13h00 – 14h00
R150pp (Booking ref H)
Meet the alter ego of talented comedian and satirist Lesego Tlhabi aka Coconut Kelz. Kelz is a young white woman trapped in a black woman’s body – this is a tongue-in-cheek look at the state of politics in our country.

Bookings via the Turbine website or direct, are essential – website HERE…