Writing and publishing workshop gets youth on the page

26 March 2025

A group of young people could soon see their creative writing in print after they completed a Creative Writing Programme hosted by the City of Cape Town’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department.  

The 62 youth from Dunoon, Philippi, Atlantis and Langa participated in the Conscious Craft of Creative Writing programme, which was facilitated by experts in the field.

Community representatives involved in the City’s Cultural Mapping and Planning initiative selected suitable young people for the programme.

‘The aim of the programme is not only to give wings to local writing, but also help new writers to find their voice and share the stories of their culture and communities. Writing allows you to cement and share your identity, and helps you develop as an author and express yourself,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

The programme started with a workshop which covered everything writers need to know from the business of writing (marketing, branding, monetising creative writing and social media) to publishing, copyright and editing.

The participants, aged between 18 and 35, are then paired with experienced mentors who will guide them in a three week mentorship in writing stories and poems about their lives, communities and global themes such as resilience, hope and culture.

The final component is to create a print-ready book within the next two months.

Authors of the most compelling stories and poems will have an opportunity to have their stories and poetry professionally edited and compiled, giving them a chance to share their work.

They can then choose to self-publish or present their work to a publisher.

This is a pilot programme, which will be assessed and further opportunities to join the initiative in future will be communicated.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office