Ag Man, Dis Lekker in the Army is a lively and engaging conversation about military service, life on the border, unforgettable characters, and the stories that soldiers continue to tell long after their time in uniform. Featuring Mike Bolhuis, LJ Bothma, and Lieb Liebenberg, this panel discussion promises a unique blend of humour, reflection, and insight. Expect plenty of laughter, thought-provoking moments, and fascinating stories as the panel explores personal experiences, military history, camaraderie, and the events that shaped a generation. Whether you have a keen interest in military history or simply enjoy a great story, this discussion offers a memorable look at life in and around the army.
genre: Panel Discussions
Tee Praat
Dive deeper into the world of tea with this insightful panel discussion presented by CoffeeTalks. Discover the stories, processes and unique characteristics behind different typesof tea, as experts share their knowledge on everything from origin and flavour profiles to brewing methods. The conversation also offers a closer look at CoffeeTalks’ own tea ranges and what sets them apart. Whether you’re a dedicated tea lover or simply curious to learn more, this session invites you to slow down, explore and experience tea in a whole new way.
Netwerk24: Agter die Opskrifte
An insightful panel discussion presented by Netwerk24, focusing on current affairs, politics, and the issues affecting South Africans. Expect thoughtful conversation, expert perspectives, and a deeper look at the stories behind the news.
Nuwe boeke in die skaduwee van aanlyn publikasies
What does it mean to publish a book in a world where online platforms set the pace? This conversation explores the tension between traditional publishing and digital spaces and its implications for the future of reading and writing.
Die toekoms van skolerugby in die Vrystaat
What does the future hold for school rugby in the Free State? This insightful panel discussion brings together key voices from both school and provincial rugby to explore development, transformation, and the challenges faced by young players and coaches. From talent identification and access to resources, to performance pressure and building sustainable systems, the conversation unpacks what it truly takes to grow the game. With a strong focus on the local context and practical insights, this session offers a valuable look at where Free State rugby is heading and how the next generation of players is being shaped.
Ashraf Jamal: Georgia O’Keeffe – Late Style
“Late Style” describes the work of artists in the final years of their lives. Ashraf Jamal, a research fellow at the University of the Free State and the 2026 Artist-in-Residence, explores how artists do not necessarily conclude their lives harmoniously but remain complex and contradictory. The idea of a linear life is challenged by rupture and disruption. Death is not simply an end, and great art questions dominant views. Georgia O’Keeffe serves as an example of the synergy between ageing and creativity.
Hulde aan Helde: Johann Lodewyk Marais
The poet Johann Lodewyk Marais was born 70 years ago in Hillbrow, but grew up on the farm Sans Souci in the Harrismith district, where he became fluent in Sotho. As a farm child, he developed a deep love for nature. He began reading avidly in high school, and his first poem was published in Die Vaderland while he was in Grade 11. His first poetry collection, Die somer is ’n dag oud, was published in 1983 and awarded the Ingrid Jonker Prize in 1984. His work has been highly praised and is often described as “sensitive to nature.” He has also written travel books and biographies.
Presented by NALN.
Denke aan die Beweeg
Hercules Boshoff and Pieter Duvenage discuss their books Verantwoording and Bewegende Denke. Both works explore how we can think responsibly in a time of rapid change, technological shifts, and moral uncertainty. From Aristotle’s ideas about human beings as linguistic and political creatures to modern philosophers’ insights, such as Hegel, Heidegger, Arendt, and Habermas, the conversation reflects on wisdom, judgement, and how thoughtful action remains possible in a complex world.
Pieter Duvenage, South African philosopher, academic, and public intellectual, is currently an extraordinary professor of philosophy at North-West University. His work lies at the boundary of philosophy, ethics, and public life, and he is known for his ability to connect classical thought with contemporary questions. As a thinker and interlocutor, he focuses on responsible judgement, dialogue, and understanding in a time of social division and technological acceleration.
Hercules Boshoff is a research fellow at the Independent Institute of Education’s Varsity College campus in Cape Town. He previously served as departmental head of philosophy and business ethics at Akademia and is a postdoctoral researcher at North-West University. He completed his doctoral study titled “Economy and Subjectivity” in 2019. He regularly writes columns.
Hulde aan Helde: Stella Blakemore
Stella Blakemore was born 120 years ago near Lindley. She is known as a writer of school stories that, especially in earlier years, gained her loyal readers among boys and girls. Her best-known works are the Maasdorp and Keurboslaan series. For the Keurboslaan series, she used her Afrikaans grandfather’s name – Theunis Krogh. The series has been reprinted numerous times and remains popular to this day. Blakemore published around 50 books and made a remarkable contribution to Afrikaans youth literature.
Presented by NALN.
Woord en Mag
Thérèse Bartman and Fourie Botha discuss their poetry collections Die helfte is jou nie vertel nie and Kolam. In her collection, Bartman explores the power and limits of the written word, returning to the rich oral traditions of poetry to give voice to overlooked stories and experiences. Botha’s Kolam weaves together diverse themes into a complex, interdependent pattern of observation, memory, and loss. Their conversation explores how poets shape meaning from experience and how poetry can create new patterns of understanding and beauty.
Thérèse Bartman made her debut as a poet in Nuwe Stemme 3 (2005). Some of her poems have been included in anthologies, including Groot Verseboek. Thérèse Hulme wrote several children’s books, as well as My Word, Ideas for Creating a Writing Culture in the Classroom (2022). She is a narrative therapist and mentor to teachers and people who work with children, and holds the degree DTh in Practical Theology with Specialisation in Pastoral Therapy.
Fourie Botha is a poet, editor, and editorial consultant who works in both English and Afrikaans. He spent more than twenty years in the publishing industry and served for nine years as the local fiction publisher at Penguin Random House South Africa in Cape Town. He has worked with many award-winning writers and remains actively involved in the literary world. Botha is also the author of several poetry collections, including Kolam.
