Unfolding the magic and pragmatism of good Narrative

If one of the things on your to-do list is to tell the great South African story (or any damn-good story), you simply can not afford to miss this year's Narrative Journalism conference.

For both writers and journalists, the conference organisers have lined up speakers such as Zakes Mda, Mark Gevisser, Fred Khumalo, Jacqui Banaszynski, Tom French and Dave Hazelhurst, among others.

Master of magical realism, Mda will take participants through the journey of building effective characters while speakers such as Gevisser and Hazelhurst, pass on the practical skills to write and deliver compelling narrative.

French and Banaszynski have both won Pulitzer prizes for their work while acclaimed author Khumalo is the winner of the 2005 EU Literary Award for his novel Bitches Brew.

The award winning Gevisser, who is currently updating his much lauded biography of President Thabo Mbeki, writing a narrative film script on the ANC’s 1930 Congress and his celebrated Mail and Guardian political profiles were collected in the anthology: Portraits of Power.

Creative director at The Star newspaper, Hazelhurst will unpack the production of a narrative project – from idea to publication – through “The Search for Looksmart”, a story which recently won the Mondi Shanduka award for best narrative story.

Taking place at Hackle Brooke Estate on May 21 and 22, the conference aims to deepen the understanding and power of narrative journalism, and to give journalists the skills to use it more effectively.

The conference, now in its fourth year, continues to attract considerable media interest from across the continent.

Said frayintermedia Managing Director Charmeela Bhagowat: “This year we want to build on past gains and focus on practical skills for reporters, sub editors and editors from every type of media.
A specialist one day skills workshop will also be run on 23 May by Jacqui Banazynski.

With limited space, interested parties are advised to book sooner rather than later.

For more information on the conference, please contact Debby Kramer at: 011 341 0767 or at dkramer@frayintermedia.com

Download registration forms here.
Download the draft programme here.