Some of the more prominent award-winning and most promising writers in South Africa and from the African continent will take part in the 'Time of the Writer' 2010 event in Durban this week. One of the highlights of the festival will be the tribute to Dennis Brutus, anti-apartheid activist and distinguished poet who died late last year. In its 13th year, the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal says this year's line-up represents diverse voices and perspectives.

The list of authors includes established South African writers William Gumede, Zakes Mda, Imraan Coovadia and Elana Bregin and also newcomers to the literary world Uwem Akpan from Nigeria and Aher Arrop Bol from Sudan. The programme runs for four days and provides an opportunity for writers to engage with members of the public on their published works. It also includes workshops on creative writing and visits to schools and the Westville correctional facility.

Political and social issues are prominent topics in the works of local writers and those from the continent. Thando Mgqolozana's controversial book on botched circumcisions, A Man Who is Not a Man, stirred debate on the custom.

Aher Arop Bol from Sudan has recounted his experiences and that of his friends in refugee camps in his book The Lost Boy.  Bol became separated from his parents during the civil war in Sudan at the age of four. Uwem Akpan from Nigeria wrote about human trafficking, Aids and genocide from the perspective of young children in his book So You're One of Them.