Grahamstown made its mark at the media launch of the inaugural Abantu Book Festival in Soweto.
Grahamstown made its mark at the media launch of the inaugural Abantu Book Festival in Soweto.
The town's connection shone through the presence of a number of writers linked to Rhodes University and the National English Literary Museum (Nelm).
Lesego Rampolokeng, Vangi Gantsho, Malaika wa Azania, Professor Pamella Maseko, Simphiwo Mahala and Andrew Martin were among a number of writers from all over South Africa and Africa.
Elinor Sisulu, Chairperson of the Puku Children's Literature Foundation, which organises the annual Puku isiXhosa Storytelling Festival in Grahamstown and Gcina Mhlophe, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by Rhodes University also featured in the beautifully designed black and gold programme.
The Abantu Book Festival took place in early December at the Eyethu Lifestyle Centre and the Soweto Theatre. It was curated by award-winning author of Sweet Medicine, Panashe Chigumadzi.
The festival, initiated by outstanding author Thando Mgqolozana, is a dream come true, going back to 2003.
Fed up with begging to be integrated, Mgqolozana is a festival “for people by the people”.
“What makes me angry?” Mgqolozana questioned himself. “It is people who want to access our books, like our Makhulus (grandparents), but are unable to.”
Mgqolozana said inability to access African literature was not by accident, but by design. He also questioned the poorness of African literature sections in many libraries, in an African country.
“Why? We should not be having these. These remind us of the homeland system,” said Mgqolozana who has never been afraid to speak out.
Mgqolozana thanked the number of partners who have been courageous enough to believe in him, Chigumadzi and the Abantu Book Festival team that such a festival could be successfully hosted in the township.
The partners include Mandla Tshabalala, who graciously opened his Eyethu Lifestyle Centre to be used as a host venue, Trace Africa, Kaya FM which ran podcasts, Soweto Theatre, the Department of Arts and Culture, and African Flavour Books, who would be displaying and selling books of all the authors in the programme.
http://www.abantubookfestival.co.za
