Just a book by itself, if it has the right messages in it, can change a whole human being. It can remake a person.
Mariam Tlali
The Trustees
The Literary District is managed by the African Book Trust, a registered charity. Below is our team of dedicated management & trustees.
Griffin Shea
Griffin Shea owns Bridge Books, an independent bookstore in downtown Johannesburg. He also founded the African Book Trust. Before opening Bridge Books, Griffin worked as a journalist for 15 years, mostly with the international news agency AFP. He is currently working on a PhD in Publishing Studies at Wits.
Lorraine Sithole
Lorraine Sithole is an influential figure in South Africa's literary space. She is the founder of the BookWorms Book Club based in Gauteng. Lorraine is also a writer and a publisher. One of her recent writing projects is her contribution to Niq Mhlongo's Black Tax, published in 2019. Untimely Beginnings is her latest publishing project – a collection of 17 real-life stories of widowed women who open up about their incredible loss while attempting to piece their lives together after the loss of their spouses.
Harry Ntombela
Harry Ntombela has over 17 years of experience in the financial services sector. He joined the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center Southern Africa (RLC SA) in 2016 and is currently a Partnerships and Communications Head for the programme. Beyond his work at YALI, he is passionate about reading and making South African books as widely available as possible.
Dr Gillian Godsell
Dr Gillian Godsell is a retired academic who has lived all her life in Johannesburg and has a deep love for the city. She has served on and chaired a variety of non-profit boards, ranging from Industrial Psychology to Entrepreneurship to Education. She currently chairs the Council of Education, a small grant-making body started in Paul Kruger’s day. She has three daughters living in Johannesburg, and is active in her local church. Her favourite pastime is reading to her two grandchildren.
STEERING COMMITEE
Josine Overdevest
A passionate inner-city resident and an avid reader, Josine is excited to see these two loves come together in the Johannesburg Literary District. Being present in the dynamics of the city inspired her to found Flying Cows of Jozi, a company aimed at giving wings to the passion & potential of digitally skilled young STEM teachers to play their valuable role in 21st century education. Josine also facilitates intimate walks through Town to experience the diverse sights, sounds and special encounters that spell Jozi.
Lit District strides
Thanks to our donors, partners, and the Social Employment Fund (SEF) for the strides we’ve been able to make at the Lit District. With their help, we have been able to hire people assist with improvements made at the Library Gardens, the old Post Office on Rissik Street, as well as surrounding blocks.
Join the Jozi story
Be part of an exciting initiative reshaping Joburg’s narrative within the vibrant Lit District. We’re offering unique collaboration opportunities that blend creativity and community engagement by reimagining urban spaces.