The 2025 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees marks its 25th anniversary with a powerful theatre line-up, including a new drama based on the disappearance of little Joshlin Smith, whose kidnapping case continues to make headlines.
Titled Joshlin: Meer As ’n Naam, the production is expected to take viewers on the emotional journey of the young girl’s disappearance. The synopsis notes that it will portray a community’s shame, silence, and desperate cry for justice.
The play is written by Herschelle Benjamin and directed by Janice Honeyman, with choreography by Byron Klassen. The cast includes Bronwyn Damon, Chriswill Kotzé, Janru Steenkamp, Mahlatse Molubi, Maundrey Jantjies, Michael Ruzvidzo, and Ronald Theron.
It is anticipated that it will not only be a play, but a call to action, urging audiences to rise up, question, and demand accountability in a country where justice is often difficult to come by.
The case is still ongoing, despite a guilty verdict and life sentences being handed down. The three convicted in the matter: Joshlin’s mother, Kelly, Jacquin Appollis and Steveno Van Rhyn, are preparing to return to court to appeal the judgments delivered.
READ MORE: NPA to argue for indemnity for Lombaard & Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn appeal hearings loom
Nonetheless, the play premieres on 11 October at 17:30.
This work joins an impressive programme celebrating a quarter-century of Woordfees. Once a literary festival, Woordfees has grown into a vibrant showcase of theatre, music, dance, film, and visual art.
Smile90.4FM was at the unveiling of the programme last week, where festival director Saartjie Botha described the 2025 edition as possibly the best programme to date.
This year’s theme Deel or Share symbolises reconnection and collective expression.
“To share, not diminish. The Woordfees’ way of sharing creates more, makes whole, multiplies – outcomes, opportunities and grace. And that, ultimately, is the success of an arts festival – it is a meaningful multiplier,” said Botha.
Highlights include the return of Breyten Breytenbach’s Boklied, Liefde, Lafras with Antoinette Kellermann, and Die ander dogter with Sandra Prinsloo.
Antjie Krog and Siphokazi Jonas are this year’s festival poets, marking another milestone with two festival poets for the very first time.
The festival officially begins on the morning of 11 October with a walk in Idas Valley and then follows a daily schedule packed with literature, arts, music, plays and plenty more until 19 October.
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, 26 June 2025, with the full programme available at www.woordfees.co.za.
