Discussions of books in the company of their writers form a central and exciting element of the SU Woordfees, and this year's collection certainly has something worthwhile for book lovers.

History, of course, plays an important role at most Writers' Festivals. This year, Albert Blake and Richard Steyn chat to Fransjohan Pretorius about Boeretwis, the feud between the De Wet Brothers Christiaan and Piet – Boere hero and traitor; while in Jan Smuts: Afrikaner sonder grense Smuts's impact on the world and on his own country is confronted.  

Naomi Meyer asks Bill Nasson, Professor in History, about his interest in the Anglo Boer War, cricket, District Six and Mandela with reference to his book, History Matters. Thys Human and Dan Sleigh are sure to have a fascinating conversation with the author's 1795.

Not to be missed book discussions are ex-journalists of Naspers sharing their memories in Die Burger 100: Die mens en hul stories, with Bun Booyens and Aldi Schoeman. Herman Binge will get Elsabe Brits to divulge the wonderful information she discovered in trunks in Canada, used in her book on Emily Hobhouse, Geliefde Verraaier. So too, will Herman Giliomee's Outobiografie, Richard Steyn's Jan Smuts, the man and his biographer, and Willem Steenkamp's Suid-Afrika se Grensoorlog, interest lovers of history.

There is no shortage of spiritual and life-changing books at the festival either: Erns Grundling's Elders, die Camino, Frits Gaum's Waar was God … En is daar ooit 'nGod?,  Jurie van der Heever: Wat moet ons met die Kerk doen and  Geesteswêreld – perspektief op onsienlike wêreld by Isak Burger, to name but a few.

An extra-enjoyable aspect of the SU Woordfees is the books and demonstrations of books on food by top chefs – at the same time presenting opportunities for readers to meet their favourite food writers, such Peter Veldsman with his book Wat die hart van vol is.

Another important aspect of the Writers' Festival is celebrating and commemorating well-known authors. This year the profiles that deserve accolades are Abraham de Vries, who turns 80; Irma Joubert, who turns 70; Joan Hambidge and Willem Fransman, who are both turning a merry 60; while with Margaret Bakkes, we celebrate a lifetime of writing.

But there is still much more to come. Lina Spies discusses her work Sulamiet with Andries Visagie, Tom Lanoye interviews Marianne Thamm about her Hitler, Verwoerd, Mandela en Ek, Amanda Botha talks to Marie Heese about her book, Maestro, on the sculptor Bernini. Also, Karin Brynard chats to Marita van de Vyver about her new book, Misverstand, and Hanlie Retief wants to know more about Ivor Price, author of Ivor.

The work of Michael le Cordeur and Wannie Carstens, Dit kom van ver af, presents voices of specific coloured speakers of Afrikaans on the development of the country and language. Ria Smuts and Nicole Strauss present Die kuns van kortverhaalskryf, which are the works that Ria and Johan (JP) wrote, and which she completed after his death.

Actor Tim Theron talks to the doyen of suspense thrillers, Deon Meyer, about his four Afrikaans film scripts, especially Jagveld, a film in which Theron plays.

Annelie Botes's Lugkasteel, Sally Andrew's latest Tannie Maria Mystery, and Jonathan Zapiro's Zapiro and the right to offend, who discusses his genre with other cartoonists at the Writers' Festival, all contribute to the many highlights of this year's Writers' Festival at the US Woordfees.

• For more book surprises at the US Woordfees, see www.woordfees.co.za.