Funda Mpondo International Literary Festival Bridges Generations Through Storytelling
Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape — The 4th edition of the Funda Mpondo International Literary Festival lit up the Mpondoland region from 3–4 September 2025 at the Lusikisiki Health Resource Centre, drawing together writers, artists, leaders and cultural enthusiasts from across Africa.
The festival, founded and championed by Nomawele Njongo, Director of KwaziThina Publishers, has grown from a local gathering into a major international platform for rural development, cultural exchange and the creative economy. Delegates and guests travelled from Ghana, Lesotho, Congo, and beyond, joining local participants in celebrating the richness of African storytelling.
The festivities began on 2 September in Port St Johns, where Mayor Cllr Cebisa Mazuza officially welcomed Njongo and her team. That evening, a welcoming dinner was hosted at Pholela Lodge, attended by dignitaries including Eastern Cape MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Sibulele Ngongo, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Mayor Cllr Nonkosi Pepping, and international delegates.
In her remarks at the dinner, Mayor Mazuza underscored the importance of reclaiming heritage: “It is vital that we are the ones that tell our stories, go back to basics to preserve our language (IsiMpondo), heritage and cultural activities.”
Opening the festival in Lusikisiki, Njongo delivered an impassioned message:“Our stories matter, they hold our identity and culture. This is a call to action — to amplify our voices, to tell our stories. They are the bridges between the wisdom of our elders and the dreams of our children. They carry the hope of our continent forward.”
This year’s edition was held under the powerful theme: “Bridging Generations through Tales of the Past, Present and the Future.”
The Funda Mpondo Festival’s vision, Njongo explained, is “to create a vibrant community where storytelling and cultural heritage are celebrated, rural development is advanced, and the creative economy thrives.”
Over two days, attendees engaged in storytelling sessions, panel discussions, and cultural exchanges aimed at strengthening intergenerational ties and highlighting the role of literature in African societies.
Since its inception, the festival has steadily grown from a national celebration into an international platform. It now stands as a beacon of how rural communities can drive cultural preservation while connecting to the wider African literary world.
Closing the event, Njongo left participants with the festival’s guiding principle:“A good reader is a good leader.”