AFDA Johannesburg’s third-year Bachelor of Creative Writing students recently held their Story Reads, a key milestone in finalising their short stories for two Digital Anthologies, launched at this year’s AFDA Experimental Festival.
To elevate the experience, esteemed industry professionals were invited to listen in and provide critical, insightful feedback, helping students sharpen their narratives and reflect on their creative intentions. The session fostered a rich space for growth, mentorship, and professional development.
Meet the Panelists
Vuyokazi Ngemntu (She/They)
A Cape Town-based writer-performer whose work blends poetry, ritual, and storytelling to confront trauma and promote healing. Her fiction has appeared in World Literature Today, The Kalahari Review, and more. She is a Mamandla and Voodoonauts 2024 Fellow and leads a creative consultancy launching an African speculative fiction anthology in 2025.
Stef
With 22 years of writing experience, Stef is a speculative fiction writer and copywriting mentor. He holds an MA in Creative Writing from Wits and teaches part-time at Vega. His work explores themes like collapse and uncertainty.
Shanice Ndlovu
An award-nominated fantasy writer, Shanice is the author of The Pride of Noonlay and host of The Poedcast. She’s currently completing her MA at Wits and has been nominated for the NOMMO Speculative Fiction Awards.
Students described the experience as informative, inspiring, and affirming, making it a valuable step toward publication and professional growth.