Time of the Writer

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Arts & CultureDurban
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsTime of the Writer shares its academic
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: ZAR
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Time of the Writer in Durban

Time of the Writer is Durban's annual literary festival, organized by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal since the late 1990s. It brings African and international writers together for public readings, panel discussions and school outreach programming across the city.

Durban's Centre for Creative Arts, part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, established Time of the Writer in the late 1990s as its dedicated platform for literature, joining a small family of discipline-specific annual festivals the centre would go on to run alongside JOMBA!
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Time of the Writer shares its academic institutional base, the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for Creative Arts, with Durban's JOMBA! dance festival and the Durban International Film Festival, part of a coordinated set of discipline-specific annual festivals rather than a single general arts event

02

The mystery stays covered

Its programming deliberately extends beyond festival-venue readings into school outreach, using visiting writers' presence in Durban to engage students directly, a structural choice that reflects the university centre's broader mandate around literacy and literary development rather than purely festival entertainment

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Time of the Writer continues a university-affiliated tradition of literary festival programming in Durban

Water and renewal

Living ritual

using academic institutional support to fund school outreach alongside its public author events

The sacred route

Living ritual

a combination less common among purely commercial literary festivals

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For Time of the Writer, plan transport around the exact Durban venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing for lecture-hall or theatre-style seating; Durban's warm, humid climate makes light, breathable clothing practical for most of the year.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Time of the Writer, stay near the part of Durban you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

ZAR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map29.86 S, 31.03 EOpen in Google Maps

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Nearest airportDUR — King Shaka
TransportFor Time of the Writer, plan transport around the exact Durban venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Time of the Writer, stay near the part of Durban you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Durban via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Durban, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing for lecture-hall or theatre-style seating; Durban's warm, humid climate makes light, breathable clothing practical for most of the year.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for South Africa and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Time of the Writer?

Time of the Writer is listed for March · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Time of the Writer take place?

The festival is listed in Durban, South Africa. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtow.ukzn.ac.za
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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