IN YOUR OWN WORDS: a writing retreat with Diana Ferrus

October 20 - 23, 2022

  • Catered Camping – R 3,300.00
  • Cloister Inner – R 4,800.00
  • Cloister Outer – R 4,800.00
  • Courtyard Single Occupancy – R 6,300.00
  • Farmhouse Single Occupancy – R 6,450.00
  • Garden Room Single Occupancy – R 6,900.00
  • Courtyard Shared Double Occupancy – R 10,200.00
  • Farmhouse Double Occupancy – R 10,350.00
  • Garden Room Double Occupancy – R 11,400.00

Allow the writer within, whether beginner or accomplished practitioner, story-teller or poet, to emerge and flourish for three days of wise guidance, creative exercises and dedicated writing time. Explore the elements of poetry, short stories and performance. Enjoy the stimulation and encouragement of group work as well as individual time with Diana and a powerful personal connection to your own writing energy. Write and share a few poems and a short story of your own. Be serious. Have fun.

Includes all meals, accommodation of choice, 2 full days of writing and 2 half days, as well as time to rest and explore the beautiful nature that Bodhi Khaya has to offer. Optional yoga and meditation will also be available.

Package Rate for all 3 nights

  • Catered Camping – R 3,300.00
  • Cloister Inner – R 4,800.00
  • Cloister Outer – R 4,800.00
  • Courtyard Single Occupancy – R 6,300.00
  • Farmhouse Single Occupancy – R 6,450.00
  • Garden Room Single Occupancy – R 6,900.00
  • Courtyard Shared Double Occupancy – R 10,200.00
  • Farmhouse Double Occupancy – R 10,350.00
  • Garden Room Double Occupancy – R 11,400.00

Due to the nature of the retreat, spaces are limited to 15.

About Diana Ferrus

Diana is a writer, poet, performance poet and story-teller. Her work has been published in various collections and some serve as prescribed texts for high school learners. She worked for 25 years at the University of the Western Cape. She retired in 2016. She has completed a postgraduate degree in Women’s and Gender Studies.

Books published:

Ons Komvandaan – 2006

Ive come to take you home – 2010

Die vrede kom later – 2019

In 2012 Diana received the inaugural Mbokodo Award for poetry.

Diana is internationally known and acclaimed for the poem that she wrote for the indigenous South African woman Sarah Baartman who was taken away from her country under false pretences and paraded as a sexual freak in Europe. This poem touched the heart of the French Senate and upon hearing it they voted unanimously that her remains should come home. This poem is published in the French Law, a first in French history.

Diana’s work has had and still has a bearing and influence on matters of race, sex and reconciliation.