Art, Literature and Language: What’s On at the Goethe-Institut in May

The Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg is hosting film, art, language and literature events throughout the month of April with the aim of sharing and nurturing various important forms of cultural exchange. Here’s all you need to know about the event schedule.

What does the Goethe-Institut do?

The Goethe-Institut aims to cultivate international and local cultural exchange through the arts, sciences and languages. With over 100 institutes worldwide, and 14 in the sub-Saharan region, including the one in Johannesburg, the Goethe-Institut is committed to fostering transnational diversity, understanding and trust.

The Johannesburg institute’s Language department offers German lessons in the Goethe-Institut and otherwise, supporting German teachers in the country and working closely with the South African Department of Education.

Their Library and Information Department works in partnership with libraries and other institutions involved in book and reading promotion in South Africa and encourages exchanges between information specialists and publishers in South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and Germany.

And their Cultural Programmes Department focuses on a variety of different artistic approaches from the visual arts to drama, dance, literature, film, and others to support the local cultural scenes and strengthen pan-African dialogue through the arts.

The Goethe-Institut’s May programme:

Word N Sound Poetry League

The iconic bi-monthly Word N Sound Poetry League platform invites seasoned poets and newcomers to battle it out, accumulate points, and aim for the grand finale in November. Interested poets must arrive early at Goethe-Institut on Saturday, 1 March and register by adding their names to the list. Entrants get 5 minutes on stage, and a panel of their peers will score their performance.

The winner of the night takes home a cash prize, but every point earned counts toward qualifying for the final showdown in November, where the 2025 Word N Sound Poetry League Champion will be crowned.

Following the launch on 1 March, the season schedule continues as follows:

Round 2 – 3 May
Round 3 – 5 July
Round 4 – 6 September
Final Showdown – 1 November

Cost: R50 entry

When: Round 2— Saturday, 3 May 2025 from 12pm to 5pm. Runs until 1 November 2025
Where: Goethe-Institut South Africa, 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg

Gamedev Meetup

Join the largest game developers meetup in South Africa.

Every second Thursday of every month, join the Goethe-Institut for talks, game showcases, networking with other game developers, and playtesting. Refreshments are also served.

Cost: FREE entry

When: Thursday, 8 May 2025 from 6.30pm to 9pm
Where: Goethe-Institut South Africa, 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg

What's on in Joburg Goethe-Institut - Afro Freedom Book Club

AFRO-Freedom Book Club Meet-up

The AFRO-Freedom Book Club is a public gathering that celebrates Afrikan writers, aiming to spark dialogue and civic engagement within the community. This club is a fantastic space for Afro-centric, creative, opinionated, and open-minded individuals, and the meetups take place on the second Wednesday of each month. Anyone can join in, regardless of whether they’ve read the book or not.

The book selection for May is Ndima Ndima by Tsitsi Mapepa. From the red soil of her garden in Southgate 1, a crowded suburb of Harare, Nyeredzi watches the world. She knows not to venture beyond the grasses that fence them off from the bush, where the city’s violent criminals and young lovers claim the night. But on this red soil, she is sovereign. It is here where Nyeredzi and her three older sisters are raised, and where they will each find a different destiny.

The monthly book selection is shared via the mailing list and on social media (Facebook and Instagram). Feel free to contact [email protected] if you’d like to be added to the mailing list or if you’d like to share ideas or collaborate with the book club.

Cost: FREE entry

When: Wednesday, 14 May 2025 from 7pm
Where: Goethe-Institut South Africa, 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg

House on the Hill’s ‘Silent Treatment’

Silent Treatment is a 4-month long multidisciplinary arts project celebrating the diversity and creativity of South African jazz. This compelling exhibition brings together curated photographic and textual installations that document the journey of the House on the Hill Jazz Community Showcase Series, split into 24 episodes.

Each set of 6 episodes is showcased monthly, complemented by a live, intimate acoustic performance from featured artists of the series. These performances happen in a uniquely curated “silent space” with cozy, informal seating — think cushions and beanbags instead of rows of chairs.

The exhibition includes:

24 chronologically arranged episodes with photographs and narratives
Artist quotes and descriptive text
QR codes linking to each corresponding performance on the House on the Hill YouTube channel

Carlo Mombelli live + Exhibition Part 2

The second live event is a powerful collaboration featuring jazz greats Carlo Mombelli (bass), Tlale Makhene (percussion/voice), and Marcus Wyatt (trumpet/flugel). These lockdown compositions combine moody reflections, rhythmic depth, and spontaneous creativity.

Exhibition part 2 features Episodes 7 to 12 of the Jazz Community Showcase Series, which are divided as follows:

Episode 7 – Tlale Makhene featuring Nathi Shongwe, Tshego AMG and Vuyo Manyike
Episode 8 – Mthunzi Mvubu featuring Neil Engel, Dalisu Ndlazi and Sphelelo Mazibuko
Episode 9 – Benjamin Jephta featuring Simon Manana and Keenan Ahrends
Episode 10 – Peter Auret, David Cousins and Amaeshi Ikechi
Episode 11 – Andre Petersen and Bokani Dyer
Episode 12 – Bheki Khoza featuring Lex Futshane and Siphiwe Shiburi

Cost: FREE entry, though booking for the live concert is required via Quicket

When: Live event 2 is on Thursday, 22 May 2025 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. The exhibition opens on 22 May from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and closes on 17 June 2025
Where: Goethe-Institut South Africa, 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg

See the full installation schedule

Silent Book Club

The Silent Book Club invites book lovers to the Goethe-Institut to share their love for books with like-minded people as they read together in silence. The mission remains the same: reading together and getting to know one another without any homework!

To participate, bring any book that you are interested in reading or explore the Goethe library for a title that piques your interest.

Cost: FREE entry

When: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 from 6.30pm to 9pm
Where: Goethe-Institut South Africa, 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg