Franschhoek Literary Festival misses the mark

If, as director Christopher Hope says, "basically the aim behind the [Franschhoek Literary Festival is] to encourage young writers and young writing", why is it held in an exclusive and distant place like Franschhoek? Why not Muizenberg or Mowbray, which young writers and book lovers may more easily get to?

Why the exorbitant fees to attend events and dinners? How many "youngsters" were in attendance? Looking closely at Ben William's photographs of the audience members on book.co.za, one sees mostly middle-aged white people. Not surprising, given the questions of exclusivity, or is this merely a reflection of the book-buying public given the general unaffordibility of books in this country?