www.sabooksellers.com Issue 96, March – May 2019

News Magazine of the SA Booksellers Association Watch, listen, interact, explore,

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Regulars 13 Here’s the story with Nal’ibali Trends An NGO that makes reading fun 4 • SA Booksellers National Executive 23 In the Spotlight Committee 16 Van Schaik’s innovative • Confronting Inequality – • Bookmark SmartSWOT app The South African Crisis • SA Booksellers Association Clever learning solutions • The Future of Mining in South Africa: Sunset or Sunrise? 5 From the Editor 17 Getting to know the Industry • Blue Weaver Family Expands 6 Books in Focus What does LIASA do? 24 Rolene Miller’s Womandla! 18 The Ecosystem of Book General Trade Transformation through determination Publishing… 7 From Journalist to Bookstore Owner and the value of Small and Meet Griffin Shea Micro Publishers Events 9 I Want to go Home Forever 25 Books Extravaganza for Kids Stories of Becoming and Belonging International The South African Children’s Book Fair in South Africa’s Great Metropolis 20 Ngugi’s Epic Masterpiece 26 Reading Aloud The imperfect girl behind the story Why it means the world to children Industry awareness of ‘Perfect Nine’ 11 Careers in the Book Industry 22 Dance of the Jakaranda Being an Associate Editor A New York Times Notable Book of the Year

March 2019 March 2019 April 2019 April 2019

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SA Booksellers National Executive Committee

News Magazine of the SA Booksellers Association President and central Region Chairperson Issue 96 • March – May 2019 Guru Redhi [email protected] • 032 945 1240 Editor Maiyo Febi

Editorial and Advertising Vice President and Northern Region +27 (0)84 824 7757 • [email protected] Chairperson Subscriptions SA Booksellers Office Riaz Hassim +27 (0)21 003 8098 • [email protected] [email protected] • 011 482 843 Featured ContributOrs Chace Brand, Senovia Welman, Peter Kimani treasurer Photographs Thanks to all for photographic contributions Jonathan Ferreira [email protected] • 0861 229 229 Design and Layout: Through the Looking Glass Printed by: Impress Litho

Honorary Secretary Peter Adams [email protected] • 086 134 1341

Eastern Region Chairperson Sydwell Molosi SA Booksellers, PO Box 870, Bellville, 7535 [email protected] • 072 220 5311 Tel: 021 003 8098 [email protected] www.sabooksellers.com Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 09h00 to 13h00 EDUCATION AND SOUTHERN REGION CHAIRPERSON Hentie Gericke Website Design: Through the Looking Glass [email protected] • 021 981 1270 Website Development: Country Digital Website Hosting: Databias

About the SA Booksellers’ Association Academic Chairperson The SA Booksellers Association represents a united front Mohamed Kharwa for booksellers. Through strategic liaison with the different [email protected] • 031 337 2112 sectors of the industry and provinces, SA Booksellers strives to regulate the book-trade, reminding publishers to act as wholesalers and booksellers as retailers. The annual SA Booksellers AGM has historically been co-located with Digital Sector Chairperson the Publishers Association of South Africa (PASA) AGM. Melvin Kaabwe The AGM is open to all members of SA Booksellers and is [email protected] • 083 408 7414 a conference full of information, energetic discussions, pertinent topics and eloquent speakers. This is an opportunity for education for all, keeping members at the cutting edge of developments in our ever changing industry. General Trade Chairperson SA Booksellers works closely with government departments, Olinka Nell educational authorities, and the state tender boards [email protected] • 082 873 4200 concerning matters that affect the trade. More than 50% of SA Booksellers members are previously disadvantaged and SA Booksellers is well positioned to Library Chairperson lobby government on all issues pertinent to the book trade. SA Booksellers provides access to information for all its Vic Lopich members, through the commissioning of research papers [email protected] • 0861 229 229 and the gathering of news, to the effective dissemination of this information via the industry magazine Bookmark and through www.sabooksellers.com. The Executive Committee of SA Booksellers and the Editor thank all Bookmark, the official magazine of SA Booksellers, is those who contributed to this issue of Bookmark through articles distributed free of charge to all members as well as to all and/or advertising. influential people in the book trade from publishers to government departments. The digital edition is sent to an ever increasing subscriber database. This magazine SA Booksellers National Office is a mouthpiece for SA Booksellers members as much as [email protected] it is a source of information. Send a letter to the editor at [email protected] to get your views published. 021 003 8098

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From the Editor

the relevant qualifications that will help harrowing experience of xenophobic students establish a strong foundation. attacks. Taken together the narratives Generally graduates tend to opt for more give voice to the emotions and relations traditional careers in finance or medicine emanating from a paradoxical place of without much consideration or thought outrage and hope, violence and solidarity. given for the possible professions avai­ Read more on page 9. lable in the book industry. In our first feature, we get to know Sibongile Machika “In celebration on an associate editor at Pan Macmillan. Sbongile shares her journey on how she international Women’s got into the book industry and highlights month, we feature, the need for a more representative demographic of publishing professionals. Rolene Miller, founder of Read the interview on page 11. Mosaic, a South African We will also be introducing a section to welcome new SA Booksellers members non-governmental to the association. We will get to know organisation which a bit about their store, their offering and any exciting activities/events/ provides free counselling projects they would like to share. We will and courtroom assistance meet some of the new members in the next issue. to disadvantaged women The brand new international section who have been victims of focuses on key industry stories across the African continent. Celebrated Kenyan gender-based violence.” journalist and author Peter Kimani pens a riveting tribute to Ngugi wa Thiong’o; Bridge Books in downtown Johannes­ “The brand new Kenya and Africa’s esteemed author; burg prides itself on being a book new work of fiction—his first in over a store with a rich collection of African international section decade. Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who recently literature and an experiential aspect focuses on key industry turned 81, returns to the fiction field with that offers book tours in and around a ground-breaking epic that subverts the underground book industry. We stories across the African patriarchy and roots for social equity. speak to founder and owner Griffin Shea continent. Celebrated The Gikuyu epic, Kenda Muiyuru: about how the unique book store came Rugano Rwa Gikuyu na Mumbi, is about and his take on the South African Kenyan journalist and published by East African Educational industry in comparison to the US, his author Peter Kimani pens Publishers, and will soon be translated country of birth. Read more on page 7. into English by the author as The Perfect In celebration of international a riveting tribute to Ngugi Nine: The Story of Gikuyu and Mumbi. Women’s month, we feature, Rolene wa Thiong’o; Kenya and Read more on page 20. Miller, founder of Mosaic, a South Pertinent South African issues like African non-governmental organisation Africa’s esteemed author; mining in South Africa and Inequality which provides free counselling and new work of fiction—his are in spotlight of various academics courtroom assistance to disadvantaged writers. Much research has been done women who have been victims of gender- first in over a decade.” around these national topics and you can based violence. Womandla! Women read more on page 23. Power! The “Herstory” is a reflective story Welcome to 2019!! In recent South African history, of one Noelene’s resolve to contribute We are almost a quarter of the way another topical issue was the so-called to the upliftment of women in dire through the year and its back to business xenophobic or what some might call circumstances. Far from being a dry as usual after all the festivities. afro-phobia attacks on other African recounting of names, dates and facts, In an effort to diversify content and foreign nationals living in South Africa. this book takes the reader on a deeply be responsive to our reader’s expressed I want to go Home Forever: Stories personal and emotional journey. Read preferences, we are introducing some of Becoming and Belonging in South more on page 24. new features. Africa’s Great Metropolis edited by Loren The careers in the industry section B. Landau and Tanya Pampalon, is a will explore the various career paths that collection of thirteen stories. One of the are available in the book industry and narratives is about an Ethiopian and his

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Books in focus »

There Goes English Teacher – a memoir by Karin Cronje

A powerful memoir that is searingly honest, heart-achingly funny and deeply sad. There goes English Teacher spans three years of adventures and misadventures as an English teacher in a small Korean village and later at a university. This is an unusually honest memoir with strong reflective passages on, amongst other themes, the nature of identity and the loss of it; sexuality; belief; ageing; displacement; and nationhood.

978-1-928215-61-5 Modjaji Books RRP: R280

“With nuanced grace and considerable humour, Cronje makes of this episode in her life an enjoyable and enlightening yarn.” Mail & Guardian

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From Journalist to Bookstore Owner Meet Griffin Shea

Griffin Shea at Bridge books, in the heart of Joburg CBD.

Bridge Books is a quirky bookstore with The main challenge was that I didn’t have Did you have a bookstore in the USA? a special love for African Authors. Based a clue what I was doing. And maybe that’s No, I never even thought about it. in downtown Johannesburg, the store is for the best, because you can’t be intimi­ owned by United States national Griffin dated by what you don’t know. If you just What are the some of the highlights of Shea. Getting African authored books jump in, then you have to figure it out. Bridge Books? into the hands of Africans is part of the When I left AFP, I did the creative We still have our wholesale book ethos at Bridge Books and we chatted writing program at Wits, and that’s when programme aimed at small booksellers. to Griffin to get a glimpse of how the I got interested in where South African We’re looking at ways to expand that, by journey begun. books end up. A lot of the local books creating a Literary District downtown, that I wanted to read had to be ordered which would encompass the library, Why did you decide to leave the USA from overseas, which seemed strange. small booksellers, and bookstores and come to SA to open up a bookstore? So I started thinking about places other like Bridge Books and James Findlay I actually came to South Africa as a than bookstores where people buy books. Collectibles at the Rand Club. We’re journalist. Most of my career I spent with There used to be a guy selling books on asking the Johannesburg Development the AFP news agency, and they sent me the pavement by the Shell garage near my Agency to help design trolleys that would here as a journalist. When my posting house. That made me wonder if people double as storage and sales space, with was over and it was time to move again, could also sell books informally in places some kind of power source to charge a my family decided we wanted to stay. So I with more foot traffic. I headed down phone and a card swipe machine. needed to think of something new to do. to Park Station to have a look, and that’s We also have a non-profit arm called when I started meeting all the booksellers the African Book Trust that donates new Tell us about the inception of Bridge in the CBD. Eventually I met more than books to schools and libraries. Through Books? How did you go about setting it 70 booksellers downtown, and I started the Trust we’re trying to trace copyrights up? What were some of the challenges selling remaindered books to them as an on South African classics that have gone you faced? experiment. long out of print and finance new editions.

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Books and Bags – an underground bookseller showcases his wares.

What are the notable difference It’s pretty unthinkable to me that I would network that’s anchored by Park Station. between the South African book walk into a bookstore in the US and see It’s a really lovely counterpoint to the industry and the USA industry? a majority of the books were by overseas stereotype that people don’t read. In I’m not sure that I’m well-placed to authors. Joburg’s case, it’s possible we just don’t answer that. I only know about Joburg. know what they’re reading or where But globally speaking, the last time Is there an appreciation of African they’re buying their books. Joburg was in the World Cities Culture literature in the USA? Report in 2012, the city had as many I think that’s growing all the time, judg­ What do you love the most about the bookstores as New York or London or ing from the book sections of the New book industry in SA? Paris. The difference is that most of ours York Times and the Washington Post. The book industry is such a warm and were second-hand shops, and most of welcoming space. I mean, people trust theirs were new bookstores. The other big How did the underground book tour a middle-aged white American guy to difference was that most of their books come about? What value does it bring? talk to them about what’s happening were from their own country, whereas That also started by accident, during the in downtown Joburg. That shows a most of ours were imported. Johannesburg Development Agency’s particular generosity of spirit. JoziWalks weekend last year, when Now that you have a book store, what they encourage people to do walking What would you change about the are some of the experiences you’ve had tours of their neighborhood. A friend book industry in SA? that you would have never foreseen? encouraged me to do a tour about the There’s a real need for an alternate Well, when we moved stores in the CBD, small booksellers, and we ended up distribution system that would cater on we actually rolled the bookshelves against oversubscribed. I thought we’d do it a larger scale to small booksellers and traffic up Commissioner Street to our once more to accommodate people on new entrants in particular. I often hear new location. the waiting list, but there’s still people this lament about “Why can we get a Mostly I’ve gotten to meet lots of wanting to do it every month. shebeen in every neighborhood but not interesting, smart, funny and kind I think it’s a great way to talk about a bookstore?” Well, the reason is that people – customers, writers, publishers, books in the city, and the kinds of books beverage distributors have different and lots of cool kids who come to our that people read that never get recorded. methods of risk assessment for clients, story times. There’s a huge amount of informal and a different delivery model. If we publishing that’s totally undocumented. had a book distributor that operated Why does your bookstore focus on Some of the booksellers do actually have like the Multiflora Flower Market, for African authors? spaces underground, but mostly they’re example, South Africans would sell more Bridge Books focuses on African authors part of the city’s underground economy, books. (If you know a venture capitalist, because sometimes they’re hard to find. feeding into the huge regional trading let me know!)

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I Want to go Home Forever Stories of Becoming and Belonging in South Africa’s Great Metropolis

Generations of people from across Africa, Europe and Asia have turned metal from the depths of the earth into Africa’s wealthiest, most dynamic and most diverse urban centre, a mega-city where post-apartheid South Africa is being made. Yet for newcomers as well as locals, the golden possibilities of Gauteng are tinged with dangers and difficulties. Chichi is a hairdresser from Nigeria who left for South Africa after a love affair went bad. Azam arrived from Pakistan with a modest wad of cash and a dream. Estiphanos trekked the continent escaping political persecution in Ethiopia, only to become the target of the May 2008 xenophobic attacks. Nombuyiselo is the mother of 14-year- old Simphiwe Mahori, shot dead in 2015 by a Somalian shopkeeper in Snake Park, sparking a further wave of anti-foreigner violence. After fighting white oppression for decades, Ntombi has turned her anger towards African foreigners, who, she says are taking jobs away from South Africans and fuelling crime. Papi, a freedom fighter and activist in Katlehong, now dedicates his life to teaching the youth in his community that tolerance is the only way forward. These are some of the thirteen stories that make up I want to go Home Forever: Stories of Becoming and Belonging in South Africa’s Great Metropolis edited by Loren B. Landau and Tanya Pampalon, published by Wits University Press. The narratives, collected by researchers, journalists and writers, reflect the many facets of South Africa’s post-apartheid decades. Taken together they give voice to the emotions and relations emanating from a paradoxical place of outrage and hope, violence and solidarity. They speak of intersections between people and their pasts, and of how, in the making of selves and the other they are also shaping South Estifanos Worku Abeto, 72 when he would stay for the next 35 years. He Africa. Underlying these accounts is a interviewed, grew up in the town of escaped the country in 2007 because of nostalgia for an imagined future that can Hosaena, in the southern region of political problems and opened a shop never be realised. These are stories of Ethiopia. The son of a farmer and his with other Ethiopians in Tsakane, 50km forever seeking a place called ‘home’. second wife, he got a job out of high southeast of Johannesburg, in February school working for the local government 2008. Three months later, xenophobic Excerpt from book: in agricultural research. Later he studied attacks erupted across the nation. The big man of Hosaena: Estifanos Worku botany at Haramaya University, and The attacks happened on 19 May Abeto. Interviewed by Tanya Pampalone then returned to the civil service, where 2008. The night before, the community

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people were warning us. They came to the shop and were dancing and singing, saying, “You foreigners, you must go back to your country! What are you doing here? This is our money! This isn’t your money!” They were terrorising us. “You kwerekwere! We’ll show you!” We didn’t sleep that night. But even though we were very scared, we couldn’t leave. We were thinking these people would come and kill us. But a South African lady came to reassure us. She said, “Don’t worry”. The next day, very early in the morn­ ing, they came in groups, singing. They Estefanos Worku Abeto in his Yeoville flat, which he shares with a few fellow Ethiopians. went to all of the foreigners in the area. The three of us were hiding inside the opposition Democratic Alliance] said, but there were also representatives from shop, and they came and broke down “Maybe you will go to another country”. Somalia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. the door. The police were there, too, and The ANC politicians were saying, “You We had a three-day meeting in the they tried to protect us but there were must integrate”. They told us those people minister’s office so we could hear the too many people and they couldn’t stop who attacked us were in prison. But those report and give our feedback. They had them. The community people were warn­ people were not in prison, it was not true. the report taped to the wall, and after two ing the police, saying: “Take care. This is They were saying that just to comfort us. days, they asked us, “What do you think South Africa. We are South Africans.” The people in the camps were about this? What are your ideas? What The landlady was crying. “I’m South refusing to integrate back into those are your objections?” African. What are you doing?” They communities. How could we integrate I raised my hand – there were screamed, “Where are the foreigners?” with the South Africans? We didn’t have representatives from many offices, from They were grabbing us, beating us, anything. Everything we had was stolen. [the Department of] Home Affairs, from kicking us. We acted like dead people. We were afraid, we were saying, “How [the Department of] Social Development, The lady screamed, “Are you killing me? can we leave here? They are the enemy. If more than 20 staff and one white lady Are you killing them?” they see us, they will kill us.” taking minutes – and I said: “How can Then they left, taking the blankets, the But after the politicians came, the camp you take this rubbish? Let me tell you comforters, the bedsheets, the carpets. was closed and the few of us who were left something. I’m older than all of you. They even took our cooking oil. Then were taken to another camp. I remember Maybe you have more knowledge, but they went to the money. We had R80 000 very well one man, a Rwandan from the you do not have more experience than cash. They took everything we had. Then United Nations, who spoke French. He me. You South Africans were foreigners they broke the owner’s house. After said he could help me because I was a in many countries. Mandela was in they left, the police took us to the police gentleman. But he was only helping the Ethiopia. He was a foreigner. Mandela station in Tsakane and we opened a case Congolese. He was a corrupt person. He went to the Ethiopian government and and listed everything that was looted. was taking money. But I had none. He said, they gave him military training.” They gave us a case number, registering “Don’t worry, I’ll help you”. But he didn’t We were helping them. But South everything we said, but they told us they help me. Only God helped me. Africans don’t know about this history. couldn’t do anything. They said, “This is After the camps closed, Worku Abeto They didn’t learn about African history the community. What shall we do?” moved to Yeoville, where he still lives in school, but they were listening eagerly in a small room with three other men. to what I was saying. I told them, “Please, The enemy within Since the attacks, he has been actively how can you say you don’t need foreigners? The police took us to the United Nations involved with the diaspora community, Foreigners are everywhere. This is a shame High Commissioner for Refugees camp, including the African Diaspora Forum. to say that no one can enter Soweto.” which was set up in Springs. There were He often represents Ethiopians living more than 300 or 400 people there by in Johannesburg in matters with the Estefanos Worku Abeto was interviewed then. We ended up staying there for five or government. by Tanya Pampalon for ‘I Want to go six months, living in tents, and they gave Home Forever: Stories of Becoming us food, clothes and blankets. It was very They didn’t want any foreigners in and Belonging in South Africa’s Great comfortable. I thank South Africa for this. Soweto Metropolis’, a new book edited by Loren In the camp, I helped to coordinate the There were xenophobic attacks in Soweto B. Landau and Tanya Pampalon, and people. The Ethiopians elected me and, again in January 2015, and foreign shops published by Wits University Press. with the guys from Malawi and the Zim­ were looted for one month. The Soweto babweans, we were arranging the queues community said they didn’t want any and the donations that were coming in. foreigners in Soweto. There was one Many different politicians came to lady, Mama Rosa, who wrote a report the camp. They said, “Don’t worry. Be for the minister of small business. I went patient.” The white politicians [from the to Pretoria to represent the Ethiopians,

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Careers in the Book Industry »

Being an Associate Editor What are your formal qualifications and how did they prepare you for the The book industry forms an integral work you are currently doing? part of a country’s education system and I have an undergraduate degree in is filled with a variety of professionals Publishing and an Honours degree in that play a specific role in the business Journalism. of books. However, the average person When I went to university I didn’t on the street generally knows very little know what publishing was. My under­ about what it means to be a publisher grad taught me the practicalities of how or an independent bookseller; highly to produce the finished product; how one popularized professions like doctor or brings the dream to life. accountant tend to be more sought after. My time at journalism school taught Careers in the book industry is a brand me how to listen and what it takes to new feature that will give the professions formulate and write the story. It also in the industry a voice. We will showcase taught me how to work under pressure, the breadth and depth of the available meet deadlines and build networks. career options through talking to active professionals within the industry. Most professionals say that their fields are constantly evolving and it’s a must In this issue we chat to: to stay abreast of the latest trends, Sibongile Machika updates and new ways of performing Associate Editor – Pan Macmillan functions etc. Would you say this is true to your role as well? Please share your background and what Yes, but in context. Whether it is new you currently do in the book industry. Sbongile arriving at work. stories told in new ways or technologies I was born in Mamelodi, Pretoria and there is always something new happening. was raised by a single dad, my grand­ I got into the industry through the So, I think it is worth while learning about mother and Yotv. Between these three I Media 24 graduate programme. I was new systems and technologies that might fell in love with stories and story­telling. one of 2000 people who applied and after make our jobs easier. Knowing doesn’t I studied Publishing at the University a series of interviews I was accepted to always mean we can put it to use here of Pretoria and I am currently an be part of the 1 year internship. I was in an African context. Sure, we keep our Associated Editor. placed at NB publisher and it allowed ears on the ground and stay plugged in, me to work with various publishers and but reading widely is still top of my list in How did you get into the book imprints. terms of progressively performing my job. industry? Was it something you always In terms of evolving, for the first time wanted to be in? What skills-set does one need to ever the publishing industry is open I have always wanted to be a story teller perform your role? to black authors, readers and whatever but only fell in love with books in matric. The simple answer is a huge appetite they chose to image themselves as. That I had a brilliant English teacher Mrs. for reading and an open mind. Reading is a scary thought for most people so I. Joubert at Cornerstone College. She widely and often outside of my comfort when I say that the industry is open to made words matter to me. She built us zone is also big part of my job. One also it, I mean that the black market is one and cut us down to size with the power needs to be a critical thinker and have a that can no longer be ignored. It is a of her words; it was her super power. keen interest for other cultures. profitable, creative market that is telling She made Shakespeare’s mythical worlds I would also encourage doing things human stories in ways we haven’t seen come alive and completely understood outside of your comfort zone to jolt the before. What does history look like when why I was ready to love a vampire when imagination and inspire lots of creativity. we write it ourselves? Who become the Twilight came out. I would like to be a dragon effect kind of heroes, the villains when the writers are I wanted to be a publisher because publisher; this means I want those who black? How do we (black people) address stories changed my family’s lives; from have never experienced my work, to have difficult issues that are to do with us? This the Soul City pamphlets that taught about some idea of what I do. Just like we have might be new in SA but there is nothing HIV/Aids to the 14:00 stories on Ukhozi never experienced dragons but we know new under the sun. FM and even Generations. I saw how what they do. Many nations found their voice before stories impacted my family then and One also needs to be good with people. us, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Botswana and continue to do so now. I wanted to part Our industry relies on relationships with India just to name a few. How have these of that. authors, media, customers etc. nations chosen to recreate themselves,

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to recreate their history, to retell them­ selves? There is so much to gain and from them but there is also so much of us to share with them. Yet it seem there is very little effort or interest in figuring out the “Read, read, read. best way to have this exchange. Don’t come into What are some of the misconceptions the industry for that you had about the book industry prior to working in it? the money. I would Black people don’t read. encourage one to That well-read people are progressive, open minded and creative. It is not true. study a language, The devil wears Prada! ideally a local What is your advice to young people language or any of that are considering a career in the the major languages book industry? What education path would you encourage them to follow? on the continent.” Read, read, read. Don’t come into the industry for the money. I would encourage one to study a language, ideally a local language or any of the major languages on the continent. Then I would say anything that gives Most of the nonwhite practitioners we What that opens us to is the possibilities insight into the human condition: have can’t write or read African languages of transmitting culture more effectively. Sociology, Philosophy, Literature (lean on a professional level, never mind being An opportunity to write about ourselves towards African literature), and consider able to keep up with how these languages in ways our souls and ancestors will journalism. evolve. So it means most publishing resonate and to capture (write) what our houses don’t publish African languages, ancestors might have imagined. What are entry level positions in the which then means we are not catering for Make it compulsory for publishers, book industry? the majority or nurturing this market. By book retailers and media houses to Internships and book reviews or working African languages I am also referring to fund tertiary education in languages, in book stores. languages from other African countries. publishing and other industry related Of course there are many reasons and fields directly proportional to their Are the professionals in the book excuses for this and that is a story for market share. Publishing and languages industry comprised of a certain another day. go hand in hand so approaching them demographic? Such things as I have outlined, create collectively at a tertiary level would Is there under representation/over and maintain vicious myths like ‘blacks greatly assist the industry. Such an representation of certain groups? don’t read’. obligation could drastically change things Yes the industry is mostly white middle and it can be made attractive for the aged women. If you had a magic wand and could media/publishing houses by offering a There is over representation of white make the Book Industry perfect, what tax rebate. people and over representation of English would you do? All publishing related government language practitioners. Both factors The book industry doesn’t exist in and SOEs requirements should be have a huge impact on what stories get isolation. Books reflect our time, our serviced by local publishing houses. published and who gets access to them. world. Thus the changes I would want to Introduce an industry quota for With regards to the over represen­ make speak to our world as it relates to the next 10 years; each imprint at a tation of white people, it comes down readers and those that create the content. publishing house must publish 50% non- to this: we engage that which is familiar My dreams needs more than just a white authors. Half of which must also be to us. So white publishers publish what room, they must be the land on which available in an African language. they know or are comfortable with; they the house is built. So with this in mind, Before publishing a white author, market in ways that make sense to them the changes are: make sure there is no non-white person to reach the target audience they imagine; Make African languages compulsory who is writing on that topic. and, they sell in ways and at avenues they from grade R to honours level (after know. Therefore, if most of the industry undergrad). Create a market that only What 3 books are most representative is made up of white people at every point fellow Africans can service well. Most of who you are? of the value chain, well then, we as an people read in English because that is Can I answer this on my death bed? industry will continue to publish (mostly) the language they learned to read first Or better yet, I will visit you in a dream for white people, those who assimilate as and probably express themselves best six months after my death…. I’m still such (white) and those who aspire to do in. So what happens when people are as reading and Sula by Toni Morrison is so (be ideologically white). comfortable with their mother tongues? on the list.

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Here’s the story with Nal’ibali An NGO that makes reading fun

In South Africa, children are not reading aloud to them. Few children have the and hear engaging stories, in languages well. The results of the 2016 Progress in opportunity to choose what they want to they understand, are well equipped and International Reading Literacy Study read or take books home from a school motivated to learn to read and write. A (PIRLS) assessment placed South Africa or library. This ring-fences reading as a significant body of research reinforces last out of 50 participating countries. The technical decoding task – not an exciting, the link between reading for pleasure and study also revealed that 78% of Grade 4 joyful and personally relevant activity. improved outcomes for children. children in South Africa cannot read for Nal’ibali seeks to create and nurture meaning in any language. Aims of Nal’ibali the conditions throughout society that There is a severe lack of reading Nal’ibali (isiXhosa for “here’s the story”) support children’s development as material in South African schools and is South Africa’s reading-for-enjoyment readers. These are: homes. Fifty-eight percent of households campaign. It makes use of reading • KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS: have no leisure books, and only 7% of and storytelling in home languages as Adults and children understand and homes have more than ten books. Just well as English to support children’s value reading for enjoyment, and 17% of schools have a stocked library, literacy learning and school success. know how to nurture it. and many contain unsuitable books, are It is one of the biggest literacy-based • OPPORTUNITIES TO READ: locked most of the time, or do not allow nongovernmental organisations in South Frequent opportunities to read, write children to take books home. Books Africa. It was initiated in 2012 by the and hear stories exist in a variety of in African languages are particularly DG Murray Trust and the Project for the accessible spaces. scarce: while South Africa has eleven Study of Alternative Education in South • READING ROLE MODELS: Adults official languages, 41% of children’s books Africa (PRAESA). share books and stories with children, published between 2000 and 2015 were Nal’ibali is built on the simple logic and encourage others to do the same. in English, 24% were in Afrikaans, and that a well-established culture of reading • ACCESS TO READING only 35% were in the other nine African can be a real game-changer for education MATERIAL: Adults and children languages combined. in South Africa. Literacy skills are a strong have access to a wide variety of Reading culture is also limited. Only predictor of future academic success in all relevant engaging reading material, in 35% of adults who live with children read subjects – and children who regularly read all South African languages.

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Nal’ibali was launched to the public in “It also does significant people listened each week to its most 2012. It emerged out of two decades recent radio story season on SABC of research on multilingual education work distribut­ing reading stations, and it recently launched a conducted by PRAESA under Dr Neville materials. Most notably, national billboard campaign. Alexander and Dr Carole Bloch, their It also does significant work distribut­ successful development of a model for it has distributed more ing reading materials. Most notably, it community-based reading clubs, and the than 33.8 million copies has distributed more than 33.8 million experience of the loveLife behavioural copies of its bilingual newspaper supple­ change campaign, which sought to of its bilingual newspaper ment since 2012. Each edition includes reduce the incidence of HIV among supple­ment since 2012. three stories (two can be cut and folded young people. to make a book), activity suggestions for Nal’ibali quickly achieved notable teachers and caregivers, motivational scale and momentum, and, PRAESA, equality in a country where indigenous messaging and information about read­ which implemented the campaign languages have historically been ing, news from the Nal’ibali network, from its inception to 2015, received the marginalised. and games and activities for children. 2015 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award At its core, Nal’ibali works with Stories celebrate traditional storytelling (ALMA) – the most prestigious prize in partners and individuals across the and local authors, and reflect readers’ its field – for its contribution to children’s country to set up and run a growing lived experiences. All content is bilingual multilingual literacy development. network of more than 4 000 reading clubs (English and another language), and it is In 2016, the Nal’ibali Trust was born for children. Reading clubs are relaxed, currently available in eight of the eleven and Nal’ibali became an independent informal spaces where children can enjoy official languages. Nal’ibali has also entity, with PRAESA continuing as a books, stories and other literacy-related distributed nearly half a million books, research and content partner. activities such as songs and games in and its website has 646 stories in all their home languages as well as English. eleven languages. Projects and Activities Nal’ibali trains and equips individuals In its aim to grow a reading culture in and organisations to run reading clubs. Key partners include: South Africa, Nal’ibali recognises the The sustainability of these clubs is • Government: Nal’ibali has a power and potential of communities in supported through mentoring, resource Memorandum of Understanding with literacy development, and the importance provision and partnerships. the national Department of Basic of reading and writing in home languages Nal’ibali also runs digital and mass Education, and works with provincial as a basis to improve economic and social media campaigns. More than 7.4 million and district education departments

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to implement reading clubs across the country.It also work with various municipal entities. • Media partners: Key partners include Tiso Blackstar, a media company that prints and distributes Nal’ibali’s bilingual newspaper supplement, and SABC Education, which has aired three seasons of radio stories in all eleven South African languages between 2013 and 2018. • Distribution partners: In addition to Tiso Blackstar, the Post Office distributes supplements to reading clubs and the general public. • Non-profit organisations: Nal’ibali works with a national network of partners, who receive training and reading materials from Nal’ibali and run reading clubs in schools, pre- schools, after-care programmes and other youth development initiatives. • Research institutes: Nal’ibali is working with NORC at the University of Chicago on a randomised controlled trial of its Story Powered and 18% of newspaper buyers that Mass media and participation: Schools project, and recently worked receive the supplement use it. Of those • In 2018, Nal’ibali mobilised South with JET Education Services on an who use the supplement, the most Africans to read aloud to 1 295 449 external evaluation of its bilingual common reading behaviours include: children on World Read Aloud Day – reading materials. Nal’ibali continues »» reading aloud to children (90% of an 80% increase on 2017. to work with PRAESA, its founding organisations, 72% of newspaper • In 2018, 7.4 million people listened partner, on reading-material buyers), to Nal’ibali stories on SABC radio development, and training curriculum »» adults and children reading stations each week. and content. together (88% of organisations, • Community activations and events • Funders: Funding partners include 70% of newspaper buyers), and have reached more than 200 000 the DG Murray Trust, the United »» children reading on their own people. States Agency for International (88% of organisations, 67% of Development (USAID), the First newspaper buyers). To create a culture of reading, it’s crucial Rand Empowerment Foundation • Bilingual reading supplements are to shift mindsets and, consequently, (FREF), Volkswagen South Africa increasing availability of reading behaviour. Once people have taken (VWSA) and the HCI Foundation. materials in homes: 85% of ownership of an idea or a concept, once organisations that receive supplements they see it is an integral part of their world Key Outcomes of Projects let children take them home. view and identity, behaviour begins to and Activities change. Nal’ibali strives to acknowledge Nal’ibali tracks its social outcomes A network of reading clubs: and promote reading and storytelling as through monitoring, evaluation and • 4 353 reading clubs reaching 126 829 a key part of South African identity. research. Key social outcomes achieved children are active in all nine South Since launch in 2012, Nal’ibali has (as of mid-November 2018) include: African provinces and 84% of these solidly entrenched its position as a clubs meet at least once a week. The thought and action leader for children’s Increased access to, and use of, reading reading clubs give children regular, literacy development and has spread material: enjoyable opportunities to learn. the power of stories and reading • Nal’ibali has distributed 34.8 million nationwide – one story at a time. bilingual newspaper supplements, A network of motivated, skilled adults 466 253 books, and 1.4 million story reading aloud to children: collections and magazines since 2012. • 22 060 people have been trained on For more information about the Also, 646 free stories are available on reading for enjoyment. Nal’ibali campaign, how to sign up as a FUNda Leader and to access its website. At least 8 959 people are currently • children’s stories in a range of • An external evaluation of the running or volunteering at reading South African languages, visit supplement showed that supplements clubs. www.nalibali.org and www.nalibali. are well used in a variety of ways, • More than 17 000 people are part of mobi or find us on Facebook and enabling the reading behaviours it Nal’ibali’s broader network of literacy Twitter: nalibaliSA. seeks to support. 95% of organisations activists (known as “FUNda Leaders”).

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Van Schaik’s innovative SmartSWOT app Clever learning solutions By Chace Brand

Businesses in the educational sector operate in an ever-changing, tech savvy, digital centric market. Leading academic bookseller Van Schaik Bookstore has embraced the challenge with their innovative offering, SmartSWOT a digital learning solution, that links to a mobile app filled with curriculum- based resources, and brings textbook publishers, educators and learners onto one interactive platform. “SmartSWOT is a digital learning ecosystem that goes beyond the e-Textbook experience. In a nutshell, it is a digital learning solution based in an app, that enables blended learning – classroom teaching supported by digital technology and resources to be used at home,” says Stephan Erasmus, MD of Van Schaik Bookstore. ©123RF Students install the SmartSWOT Learning App on a device of their according to specific courses and to be user-friendly and encourages choice at home (mobile phone, tablet institutions’ needs, and can be bundled interaction: “Students will be able to or computer). The app comes with with other institutional content.” access their textbooks on and offline, prepackaged learning resources as per the Project leader Melvin Kaabwe as they only need to connect to Wi- curriculum, in the form of digital books. says that institutions have embraced Fi to download new content. The The student’s school has the additional SmartSWOT, because it supports student new platform allows students to option to administer homework, tests learning in such an accessible way: make hand-written notes, while also and publish further learning resources “Students can easily buy their pre­ allowing them to highlight and save through the app. scribed e-textbooks and recommended certain sections. Textbooks will come “SmartSWOT offers an unparalleled e-books on vanschaik.com or their alive with animations, widgets and learning experience – it enhances learn­ nearest physical Van Schaik Bookstore exercises allowing students to do virtual ing with rich resources, fun, creativity on campus. Once they have downloaded experiments and practical assignments or and innovation – it’s the future of the SmartSWOT app, they have access partake in workshops.” integrated, interactive learning,” says to their e-textbooks and more e-learning Bianca Le Cornu, Programme Erasmus. material upon login. After the initial Manager and Creative Arts Lecturer at “This product is an inevitable evolu­ login, all the contents are available for the Pearson Institute of Higher Education tion of our product offering – Van Schaik offline use.” says the app is a natural progression in a as a business took a strategic decision to “Teachers and lecturers can use the technology-based learning environment: evolve with the times and was the first app to monitor student progress as the app “The app is a great alternative (or bookstore to introduce an aggregated has the ability to track students through addition) to existing LMS systems; e-Textbook platform to South Africa, self-marking quizzes and assessments, as allowing learners to engage in blended which has allowed us to gain a deeper well as analytics on student progress. learning activities is one space, in close understanding into how e-Textbooks are “Facilitators can upload notes, proximity to their learning materials. used by and affect students, academics, examples and assessments. They can Furthermore, the after-sales service is institutions and publishers. SmartSWOT also enrich the content via media tools, top notch.” evolved out of these insights.” including embedded videos, audio, Van Schaik offers additional support Erasmus says that SmartSWOT animations and 3D graphs. It allows for through their call center at sharecall is largely based on the e-textbook one-to-one teaching, digital assessments, 08600STUDY or internationally concept, but takes it much further: “The as well as the ability to track students’ +27123665400, and offers on-site SmartSWOT app hosts content from top progress. SmartSWOT will also allow support including DTP services, content publishers, and in an e-textbook format students to contact facilitators and to origination and customer services. offers learners an interactive learning hold group discussions with their peers.” The app is available for download on: experience that can be customized Kaabwe says that the app is designed https://www.vanschaik.com/smartswot/

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Getting to know the Industry What does LIASA do? By SENOVIA WELMAN

The book industry is made up of key players that represent, empower and promote the development and image of persons engaged in specific services in the industry. One of the key players is the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). LIASA aims to unite the library and information services in South Africa and is a South African Qualifications Authority recognised Professional Body for the Library and Information Services sector according to the NQF Act 67 of 2008. It is a voluntary association that connects the Library and information Service (LIS) sector and promotes the development of South Africa through LIASA EXCO Members. access to information. More information can be found at http://www.liasa.org.za/. Can anyone join liasa? Thursday 14 March 2019. Keynote Speaker Yes, membership is open to all LIS will be the Minister of Arts and Culture, What is the leadership structure? professionals within South Africa. Mr E N Mthethwa. The 2019 SALW The executive committee that comprises of theme, ‘Collaborate @ your Library’ which the President, President-Elect, Secretary, Is there a membership fee? speaks to LIS practitioners and encourages Public Relations Officer, Treasurer, plus 4 Yes, there is. The membership fee communities to leverage the opportunities additional members presides over LIASA. increases every year and is announced at of partnerships with libraries and other There are 10 branches throughout the AGM during the Annual Conference information providing entities. South Africa: in October. In 2019, the membership fee Gauteng North, Gauteng South, is as follows: What value does liasa bring to Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern • Individual membership: R620 and the book industry? Cape, North-West, Limpopo, KwaZulu- • Institutional membership: R3 075. LIASA ensures the promotion of Natal, Free State and Mpumalanga available LIS services and other types of Each branch has its own executive What are key events on liasa’s support to communities that would not committee, consisting of a Chair, Chair- calendar? ordinarily have access. LIASA is also an Elect, Secretary, PRO, Treasurer, and • March: South African Library Week active partner at the Annual National additional members, which may include • May: LIASA May Seminar Book Week driven by South African convenors of the 10 Interest Groups: • July: LIASA Librarians’ Day: 10 July Book Development Council (SABDC) in 1. Higher Education Libraries Interest • October: LIASA National Conference September of every year to promote and Group (HELIG); & Open Access Week engage South Africa in the joy of reading. 2. Information and Communication Technology in Libraries Interest An upcoming event is the South African What is topical at liasa? Group (ICTLIG); Library Week (SALW) which takes The award in 2014 of professional body 3. Interest Group for Bibliographic place in Botshabelo, in the Free State on status to the Association was a significant Standards (IGBIS); game changer that enables the Association 4. Interlending Interest Group (ILLIG); to confer professional designations to 5. LIASA Special Libraries Interest LIS practitioners (who meet the criteria) Group (LiSLIG); within South Africa. Consequently, LIASA 6. Marketing and Advocacy Interest is in the process of reviewing its structural Group (MAIG); and organisational setup to investigate 7. Public and Community Libraries alternatives for a 21st century Association. Interest Group (PACLIG); Furthermore, consultations will take place 8. Research, Education and Training with all stakeholders through a series of Interest Group (RETIG); roadshows with visits to every LIASA 9. School Library and Youth Services branch and other engagements such as Interest Group (SLYSIG); the annual LIASA branch seminars also 10. Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG). LIASA REPCO 2018 to 2020. known as the ‘May Seminars’.

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The Ecosystem of Book Publishing… and the value of Small and Micro Publishers

Small and micro publishers contribute have been sold to Catalyst Press in the to the world of books in important ways. United States of America, for publication They take risks and publish genres (poetry, in 2020 and Modjaji is proud that it short story collections and plays, for played a part in the career of a gifted example) which bigger publishers are often South African writer. wary of; they also publish mostly debut “We take risks on manuscripts we authors by offering them an entry point believe in. Our books are set in or give a into the world of publishing. Successfully flavor of contemporary life in southern promoted authors often go on to be Africa. Our books contribute to a sense published by the bigger publishing houses. of place, of here, in southern Africa One such small publisher is Modjaji now, think Love Interrupted by Reneilwe Books which has been around for 12 Malatji or Do Not Go Gentle by Futhi years. The publisher has travailed some Ntshingila, and To the Black Women We challenging times and now has a fairly All Knew by Kholofelo Maenetsha. big list of published authors. A recent Our books offer characters, situations, debut novel was Yewande Omotoso’s Bom contexts and place within which local Boy which went on to win awards and readers can see themselves. Our books was short-listed for the debut Etisalat explore troubling issues, but also imagine Prize. Omotoso is now with international new ways of being in the world, and tell publishers and has an agent to promote us more about the world we live in, and her work globally. open doors into the worlds of others Modjaji came into being because with whom we live, here I’m thinking founder, Colleen Higgs decided to start winning movie called Whiplash, so they of Whiplash/Tess, Bom Boy by Yewande publishing the work of women. As a had to change the title to Tess for the Omotoso and Grace by Barbara Boswell, passionate and opinionated reader, she movie tie-in edition of the book. also A Person My Colour – by Martina wanted to promote the writing of women “When I first read Whiplash I felt Dahlmanns,” concluded Higgs. writers in southern Africa. as though I had stuck my finger into an Modjaji titles increase awareness of Colleen Higgs commented, “I’ve elec­tric socket. Tracey’s voice was strong women’s lives and experiences, question achieved my goal of publishing the work and powerful and like nothing I had ever assigned roles, and examine issues of other women; it has been exciting, read in South Africa before. She was such as women’s health, sexualities and exhilarating and frightening. Part of writing from the point of view of a young psychologies: for example Karen Lazar’s my motivation was because of what I woman down on her luck, working as Hemispheres, Beverly Rycroft’s missing, experienced as a writer of poetry and a street prostitute in Muizenberg. Even Michelle Hattingh’s I’m the Girl Who short fiction, and as a woman writer. I though the book is gritty and in parts Was Raped and Trifonia Melibea knew what obstacles I was dealing with.” tough to read, it is a “feel better” read – Obono’s La Bastarda. A particular book that kick-started it changes the reader and brings us to Modjaji Books is a tiny fish in a Modjaji as a company was Tracey Farren’s awareness of the lives of others that we smallish pond, yet it has made an impact novel Whiplash, published in 2008. In may have ignored. It is also a riveting, on the continent and internationally as 2017 it came out as a movie, which went page-turning novel, full of feeling and a feminist publishing house. Modjaji has on to win awards and praise. As luck heart” said Higgs. opened the door for writers and new would have it in 2016, there was an Oscar Higgs shared that it was not an easy publishing ventures. Many others players sell into stores, as many bookshops felt are publishing the kinds of books that at their customers would not be comfort­ first were only published by Modjaji. A able reading books like this. In spite of shining example is Blackbird Books, with this, Whiplash was shortlisted for the a focus on black writers, many of them prestigious Sunday Times Fiction Award women, who ordinarily would probably in 2009. A shift has since happened in not have been noticed 12 years ago. booksellers’ and publishers’ views about Modjaji is a trailblaizer in its own right what sells in the SA market. and has paved the way for several new Modjaji books had the opportunity to poetry presses – in particular, Uhlanga, publish the book because it was turned Dryad and imphepo press thanks to the down by all the other publishers. Tracey pioneering work that Modjaji Books did in has now written her third book, which publishing over 40 poetry titles since 2007. Kwela is publishing this year, 2019. The Publishing can be seen as an ecosystem, rights to Snake, Tracey’s second novel and the more diverse it is, the healthier it is.

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authors from left to right: Reneilwe Malatji (Love Interrupted); Trifonia Melibea Obono (La Bastarda); and Futhi Ntshingila (Do Not Go Gentle).

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Ngugi’s Epic Masterpiece The imperfect girl behind the story of ‘Perfect Nine’ By Dr. Peter Kimani

The New Year heralds a remarkable gift for Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s legion fans. Kenya and Africa’s esteemed author has a new work of fiction—his first in over a decade. Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who recently turned 81, returns to fiction field with a ground-breaking epic that subverts patriarchy and roots for social equity. The Gikuyu epic, Kenda Muiyuru: Rugano Rwa Gikuyu na Mumbi, is published by East African Educational Publishers, and will soon be translated into English by the author as The Perfect Nine: The Story of Gikuyu and Mumbi. This comes 13 years since Ngugi released his international bestseller, Murogi wa Kagogo (Wizard of the Crow), which has since been translated into more than 30 languages. In the intervening years, Ngugi Author image: ©allafrica.com produced works of non-fiction and essay Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o and his Gikuyu epic, Kenda Muiyuru: Rugano Rwa collections, including, Re-membering Gikuyu na Mumbi. Africa, Secure the Base, and Globalectics, which restate the author’s enduring is an affirmation of his decades-long mystic powers that lay in the tangle of vision of an African renaissance rooted commitment of writing in an African his hair. in the reclamation of the continent’s language. Predictably, Ngugi’s re-enactment, cultural heritage. The new book is ground-breaking on however, goes beyond the divine realm: He also produced a trilogy of several fronts. As an epic, Ngugi takes on he excavates the past to provide a memoirs: Dreams in a Time of War, a genre that he is least known for. “I’m complex vision of a future unencumbered which recalls his schooling in colonial not really a poetry guy,” he concedes, by divisions along the lines of gender, Kenya, and a land roiled by the state of “But I didn’t struggle with it...” he told ethnicity, and physical handicap, among Emergency (and the inspiration for his the Saturday Standard from California, others, in narrating the Gikuyu nation. seminal novel, Weep Not, Child); In the adding that the book took him three The centrepiece of the story is neither House of the Interpreter, which chronicles years to write. Gikuyu nor Mumbi, but their last-born his life at Alliance High School, and Birth At 136 pages, Kenda Muiyuru is daughter, Warigia, who is fabled to of a Dreamweaver: A Writer’s Awakening, possibly Ngugi’s shortest novel; aestheti­ have borne a child out of wedlock—an which documents his student days at cally, it is possibly his most sophisticated. abomination in the traditional society— Makerere University, where he cut his Every line encapsulates sage philosophy, and so fated to live in her father’s house. teeth as a writer. rendered with lyrical tenderness. Things are further compounded After a trailblazing career, Ngugi’s The old Gikuyu fable posits that a by Warigia’s physical disability, an detention without trial in 1977 man named Gikuyu and his wife Mumbi imperfection that sits at odds with the precipitated his exile in 1982. Four years had nine daughters. They lived on the idea of her siblings’ perfect beauty. By later, he published Decolonising the slopes of Kirinyaga, the abode of their picking an unwed mother with a physical Mind: The Politics of Language in African God. Through earnest prayer, nine handicap for a heroine, Ngugi is making Literature, which he declared his farewell young men miraculously appeared to a pushing for a more inclusive society. to English language. take nine daughters for their wives and As the story develops, Warigia gains subsequently founded the community. more importance in the narrative as the Farewell to English This was the epic that the playwright young suitors who are besotted with her “This book, Decolonising the Mind,” Oby Obyerodhiambo tapped to produce pretty sisters are assigned a task that’s Ngugi wrote, “is my farewell to English the musical, Drumbeats on Kirinyaga, in intricately woven with her future. as a vehicle for any of my writings. From early 1990s, around the same time that Ngugi’s fable provides a multicultural, now on it is Gikuyu and Kiswahili all Okoiti Omtatah penned Lwanda Magere, multi-ethnic, even pan-African outlook: the way.” He has since modified his an epic on the Luo warrior whose the 99 young men (one drifter, who is position to exclude his academic work supernatural powers lay in his shadow, soft on Warigia, is not counted), are and non-fiction, so Kenda Muiyuru evocative of the Biblical Samson and his drawn from different parts of Kenya and

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the continent: Nyanza, Tana River, Niger, as an entity that deserves human care, Sundiata, An Epic of Old Mali and epics Senegal, Congo, all coursing down the which cues in the American author of ancient India such as Ramayana and major rivers towards their source in the Henry David Thoreau teachings on Mahabharata. highlands of Kirinyaga, and drawn to the environ­mentalism. “I would like to encourage Kenyan fame of the nine beautiful sisters. writers to create epics based on the In this universe, the nine beauties “I would like to encourage stories of their communal origins, like reject objectification of their physical Homer did for the Greeks and Virgil beauty, “the beautiful ones will always Kenyan writers to create for the Romans,” Ngugi said in a recent be born,” Ngugi writes, teasing out Ayi epics based on the stories interview with The East African. Kweyi Armah’s dystopian novel, “The Yet again, this pioneering writer is Beautiful ones Are Not Yet Born.” of their communal origins, paving the way, as he has since 1962, Even as the young men embark like Homer did for the when he published his seminal novel, on their perilous assignment, they are while still an undergraduate. He’s warned that none of the young women Greeks and Virgil for the presently a distinguished professor of will settle outside their parents’ land—but Romans,” Ngugi said in English and Comparative Literature at for Warigia, who elopes with the lone University of California, Irvine, in the drifter—a bold gesture that this could be a recent interview with United States. Ngugi’s most “feminist” epic. The East African. This literary milestone coincides with In this book, work is not divided the release of yet another major text, along gender lines; one undertakes tasks While in the arduous journey to the Ngugi: Reflections on His Life of Writing, that they can handle. “By necessity, they top of the mountain, where Gikuyu the edited by Kenyan academics Simon had to do everything,” he says of the nine patriarch has instructed that all potential Gikandi and Ndirangu Wachanga. This is daughters. “They did not have brothers, suitors to venture and bring a secret cure published by the British imprint, Boydell so they had to go hunting to find to treat Warigia’s handicap, only the most & Brewer, last month. something to eat, building huts, among perseverant will survive and return to other chores.” claim the nine fair ladies. The article was first published in The epic is also interested in eco­ Ngugi’s Kenda Muiyuru proudly joins The Saturday Standard of Kenya logical justice, as nature is presented the hallowed space of world epics, such as (www.standardmedia.co.ke).

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Dance of the Jakaranda A New York Times Notable Book of the Year By Maiyo Febi

Peter Kimani brings to life a colourful cast the vapor casting clouds of woolly of characters in this mesmerising novel set nothingness above it. One of these in the shadow of Kenya’s independence should be named for Sally, Master from Britain. He successfully weaves thought—the idea eliciting a mélange together a multi-generational, multi-ethnic of soreness and softness that always tale of the formation of modern Kenya, a came with the memories of his English riveting saga of railroads. wife, now estranged for four years. She was the reason he was looking forward 1963. Kenya is on the verge of to returning to England. A ship was independence from British colonial waiting at the port of Mombasa, some rule. In the Great Rift Valley, Kenyans five hundred miles away, where the rail of all backgrounds come together in the construction had begun. The railroad previously white-only establishment tracks ended at the head of what he had of the Jakaranda Hotel. The resident named Port Victoria, memorializing the musician is Rajan Salim, who charms lake there with the same name, in honor visitors with songs inspired by his of the Queen of England. So the rail grandfather’s noble stories of the railway that started by the shores of the Indian construction that spawned the Kenya Ocean now cut through the hinterland they now know. One evening, Rajan to the shores of Lake Victoria. This was is kissed by a mysterious woman in a the mission that had brought him to the shadowy corridor. Unable to forget the British East Africa Protectorate, and it taste of her lavender-flavoured lips, Rajan had now been accomplished. He had sets out to find her. On his journey he been discharged with full honor, the stumbles upon the murky, shared history cable from London said, echoing the of three men – his grandfather, the owner military jargon that had regulated his of the Jakaranda and a British preacher – The gigantic snake was a train and life for twenty-three years. The cable also who were implicated in the controversial the year was 1901, an age when white said a letter with full details of his release birth of a child. What Rajan unearths will men were still discovering the world for had been dispatched on SS Britannia, the open his eyes about the birth not just of a their kings and queens in faraway lands. vessel that would then deliver him home child, but of an entire nation. So when the railway superintendent, or to England. Master suppressed a smile at simply Master as he was known to many, the thought, and further subverted the Here is an excerpt from the book: peered out the window of his first-class thought by pretending to scratch his pate, In that year, the glowworms in the cabin that misty morning, his mind did whose receding hairline merged with marshes were replaced by lightbulbs, not register the dazzled villagers who his forehead to form what looked like a villagers were roused out of their hamlets dropped their hoes and took off, or led small crater. by a massive rumbling that many mistook their herds away from the grazing fields for seismic shifts of the earth. These in sheer terror of the strange creature ABOUT THE AUTHOR were not uncommon occurrences— cutting through their land. Neither did Peter Kimani is an award-winning locals experienced earthquakes across Master share in the tamasha booming Kenyan novelist. He was one of three the Rift Valley so often they even had from across the coaches where British, international poets to compose and an explanation for it. They said it was Indian, and African workers—all in present a poem for National Public God taking a walk in His universe. their respective compartments—were Radio to mark Barack Obama’s They believed this without needing to celebrating the train’s maiden voyage. inauguration in 2009. A prominent see it, but on that day the villagers saw Instead, Master was absorbed by the journalist on Kenya’s national news the source of the noise as well. It was a landscape that looked remarkably circuit, Kimani’s work has appeared monstrous, snakelike creature whose different from how he remembered it in The Guardian, New African and Sky News. He teaches journalism at black head, erect like a cobra’s, pulled from his previous trip. the Aga Khan University’s Graduate rusty brown boxes and slithered down The mass of water appeared to have School of Media and Communications the savanna, coughing spasmodically as grown from a pond into a large lake. in Nairobi, and is presently the it emitted blue-black smoke. The villagers Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on Visiting Writer at Amherst College clasped their hands and wailed: Yu kiini! him; or maybe after crawling through in the United States. Kimani was Come and see the strips of iron that those that very same land on either donkey awarded the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for strange men planted seasons earlier— or zebra, his lofty perch on the train literature, Kenya’s highest literary which, left undisturbed, had grown into a now afforded him a very different view. honour, in 2011. monster gliding through the land. To the left, a spring spewed hot water,

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In the Spotlight »

as it shows what the future of mining is Confronting Inequality – for all mineral-rich countries given the The South African Crisis current global moment of climate change, South Africa’s distorted distribution of cumulative environmental damage wealth is one of the biggest challenges caused by mining and an industry facing the country’s economy, with dominated by transnational corporations. unemployment sitting at an unsustainable The book offers key questions and a 27.7%. In terms of wealth, the top percen­ methodology to investigate them, which tile households hold 70.9% while the can be applied to/by any country. bottom 60% holds a mere 7%. 76% of South Africans face an imminent threat About MISTRA of falling below the poverty line. With About the author The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic such statistics, the inequality crisis in Michael Nassen Smith is currently the Reflection (MISTRA) is an independent this country is at a desperate level and deputy director of the Institute for African research institute that takes a longterm strategies to remedy this challenge seem Alternatives (IFAA), having previously view on the strategic challenges facing shallow and lack urgency. lectured at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In this context, the Institute for the politics department. Michael is eager MISTRA was founded by a group African Alternatives has brought to connect intellectual work with pursuits of South Africans with experience in together a series of papers written by for social and economic justice. He is also research, academia, policy-making eminent South African academics and interested in promoting interdisciplinary and governance who saw the need to policymakers to serve as a catalyst to work in the academy. create a platform of engagement around finally confront and resolve inequality. strategic issues facing South Africa. It With papers from former Public is an institute that combines research Prosecutor Thuli Madonsela, Ben The Future of Mining in and academic development, strategic Turok and former President Kgalema South Africa: Sunset or Sunrise? reflection and intellectual discourse. It Motlanthe, this book provides a guide to A MISTRA PUBLICATION applies itself to issues such as economics, how the nation can confront and resolve The Future of Mining in South Africa: sociology, history, arts and culture and the inequality plaguing the country. Sunset or Sunrise? Comes at a time of the logics of natural sciences. The nation is headed to the polls debate around the Mining Charter. The later this year and books such as this book encourages broader discussion on are vital for providing a strong guide on the role of mining in a South Africa that Blue Weaver Family Expands how those in power can address South is striving to improve its growth and Blue Weaver, a fully independent book Africa’s biggest economic crisis. A great development and even serve as a catalyst marketing, sales and distribution contribution to the current political for change. company based in Cape Town is excited discourse, the book both confronts the The book covers issues like to announce they will be distributing issue and provides strategies on how to the potential of platinum to spur titles from three new international remedy inequality. industrialization, land and dispossession publishers: Quiller Publishing, The “I am emboldened by the hope on the platinum belt, the roles of the Indigo Press, and Helion & Company that the future that we imagined at state and capital in mineral development, Quiller Publishing is an independent the founding of democracy can be mining in the era of the Fourth Industrial publisher established in 2001 and is attained. This hope, however, is not Revolution, a historical survey of women situated in the UK. Their Quiller imprint one underscored by naiveté or attempts and mining from the late 19th century focuses on various genres within non- to disregard the material reality and to present and mine worker organizing: fiction such as sport, fishing, guns and political circumstances that contribute history and lessons and how post-mine gun-making, pets and pet training. The to its current state.” – Former President rehabilitation can be tackled. Kenilworth Press imprint focuses on a Kgalema Motlanthe It was inspired not only by an wide variety of equestrian titles. “There is a growing body of data appreciation of our country’s extensive The Indigo Press is an independent showing that extreme inequality and mineral endowments; but also by a publisher situated in the UK who focuses poverty is not only a threat to peace and realisation that, while the South African on both fiction and non-fiction. While stability but also impedes development. mining industry performs relatively the publishing house is young, they place That makes sense to me. Structural well on many technical indicators, its great emphasis on quality content and inequality translates into structural management of broader social issues well-designed books. inefficiency in the utilisation of human leaves much to be desired. It needs to be Helion & Company is situated in the capital.” – Former Public Prosecutor deliberated whether the mining industry UK and was founded in 1996. Today it Thuli Madonsela can play as critical a role going forward as is one of the world’s leading publishers it did in the evolution of our economy. and booksellers of military history in the This book has an international appeal English language.

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Rolene Miller’s Womandla! Transformation through determination By Miriam Aurora Hammeren Pedersen

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a Rabinow’s Reflections on Fieldwork in global day celebrating the social, economic, Morocco. Miller’s journal entries tend cultural and political achievements of to reveal her judgements of specific women. The day also marks a call to individuals, which some may find action for accelerating gender parity. off-putting, but which I choose to read Locally, Womandla! Women Power! as signs of honesty and transparency. The “Herstory” is a reflective story of one By sharing even her most problematic woman’s resolve to contribute to the up­ thoughts and opinions, Miller adds liftment of women in dire circumstances. important dimensions to the story and Rolene Miller is the founder of opens herself up for commentary and Mosaic, a South African non-govern­ constructive criticism. mental organisation which provides free Although Womandla! is not counselling and courtroom assistance explicitly branded as a scholarly work, to disadvantaged women who have it holds significant scholarly value, been victims of gender-based violence. most obviously because it provides Miller’s book Womandla! Women Power! an exhaustive documentation of the The “Herstory” of Mosaic was published herstory of Mosaic. Furthermore, seen in 2018 for Mosaic’s twenty-fifth anni­ in a larger context, the book is essential versary and chronicles the founder’s life reading for anyone interested in gaining with the organisation from the time of a deeper understanding of the situation its founding up until today. The formal of women in South Africa’s immediate establishment of Mosaic as an NGO in openly about her personal relationship post-Apartheid era. Womandla! provides 1993 coincided with the end of Apart­ with God. an interesting take on interracial, heid in South Africa, a timing Miller While Womandla! is Miller’s intercultural and inter-class dynamics, felt to be symbolically perfect. However, personal story, it is also – and equally and to a certain extent even issues of although Mosaic started off at a time importantly – the story of Mosaic’s gender and sexuality. Mosaic’s early focus of transformation, in an atmosphere community workers. These are women on intersectional identities strikes me as of freedom and hope, getting an NGO who came to Mosaic in search of ahead of its time, and as a transgender up and running in the post-Apartheid empowerment for themselves and others; woman, I am especially impressed by climate would prove less straightforward women who sometimes faced opposition the fact that Miller was emphasizing the than anticipated. Womandla! is the story from husbands and family members for difference between sex and gender as of Mosaic’s bumpy ride. choosing to work with Mosaic; women early as the mid-1990s. Far from being a dry recounting of who voluntarily jumped straight into the There is strong symbolism in the name names, dates and facts, this book takes deep end of the pool and, despite their Mosaic, which was chosen to illustrate the reader on a deeply personal and lack of previous experience, learned how “Broken pieces of abused women’s emotional journey. The author makes the to expertly navigate a completely new lives will be put together to create a history – or herstory – of Mosaic come professional environment; women who beautiful and whole life for themselves” alive; to Miller, her time with Mosaic is had the courage and willpower to revisit (p. 9). Although Mosaic has done much part of her very being. We get a vivid their own traumatic experiences as part good in its 25 years of existence, the fight sense of her motivations for founding the of their training as counsellors. Reading against gender-based violence and abuse – organisation, her strong inner drive to about these women, I find them to be as Miller rightly points out in the book – is get her idea off the ground, the familial truly inspirational role models. still a work in progress. As broken shards and professional hurdles she faced on In Womandla!, Miller shows herself are picked up and mended, new lives the way, and her steep learning curve in to be an astute observer. Her text has the continue to be shattered. Reading Miller’s the world of community work. A well- ethnographic detail of an anthropological account of a silent demonstration against to-do white South African woman of monograph and is essentially an auto- woman abuse held by Mosaic in 1995 the Jewish faith, Miller paints a detailed ethnography, brimming with thick reminded me of the much less silent Total and insightful picture of the challenges descriptions and excerpts from Miller’s Shutdown protests which took place of establishing bonds of trust with personal journal through which across South Africa in 2018. This book, disadvantaged communities, of fostering Mosaic’s volunteers and participants are then, is not simply a work of historical sisterhood across the boundaries of often referenced in their own words. documentation; it is a testament, indeed racial classifications during the early Womandla! contains revealing behind- a salute, to the ongoing and ever-vibrant years of South African democracy, and the-scenes accounts reminiscent of such women’s rights struggle in which Mosaic of bringing men and women together in ethnographic works as Geertz’s Deep and similar organisations continue to play discussions about abuse. She also writes Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight and a crucial part. Womandla awethu!

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Books Extravaganza for Kids The South African Children’s Book Fair By Maiyo Febi

The count-down is on to the 2019 South calendar in and around the Johannesburg Education and just under 400 learners Africa Children’s Book Fair (SACBF) area. I also believe that the fair should be attended last year. which will be held at the Blue Wing listed as one of the events to look forward The event attracts global publishers, Conference and Events Venue, Ticketpro to in support of youth month on the corporates, self-publishers, small and Dome in Northgate. Running from 30 government’s calendar; we are working medium exhibitors and young writers May – 2 June, the mandatae of SACBF towards that possibility” comments to showcase their work in a conducive is to encourage children to get into the Vuyo Biyana founder and director of the environment geared towards fun and healthy habit of reading thus entrenching SACBF. engagement. a culture at an early age. The first two days of the fair are The goals of the Children’s Book Fair dedicated to school children with a jam- are to create a platform for children’s packed programme filled with exciting Entry fee books writers to get exposure, provide activities. The last two days are open to Adults R50 a large scale opportunity for various the general public. Pensioners R30 stakeholders in the children’s books Most of the learners are first-time Children: industry to interact and; encourage visitors to a book fair and SACBF prides – ages 13–17 R20 – 12 years and below Free entry authors to continue telling stories that are itself in giving learners an immersive easily readable and in the context of the experience. Children from all walks life Tickets can be purchased online at African child. have the opportunity to read books, listen www.webtickets.co.za, in store at any rd This year’s event marks the 3 edition to compelling stories, attend interactive Pick n Pay or on the day upon entry. and organisers are expecting growth in workshops, witness book launches and so the number of feet that visit the fair. much more. For exhibition space please contact “My dream is to see the SACBF as Schools are selected in collaboration Vuyo Biyana on +27 72 785 0512 a must-go-to event on every child’s with the Gauteng Department of

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Reading Aloud Why it means the world to children

For 10 years, World Read Aloud Day has drawn global attention to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories. Celebrated on the 1st of February 2019, it is well worth taking time to consider the countless benefits of this activity, and mulling over some staggering statistics surrounding literacy. Approximately 758 million people across the globe cannot read. According to South African government statistics, our youth literacy rate for those aged 15 to 34 sits at over 90%, whilst adult literacy (ages 35–64) sits at just under 80%. Of tantamount importance is the enjoyment of reading; a responsibility that not only rests on the shoulders of educators, but also falls on parents. For those of us blessed with a parent who read aloud to us, we viewed it as a treasured, time-honoured tradition; one which surely had a hand in helping us reach our full potential in later years. Reading aloud is a great way of connecting with little ones. Along with the benefit of spending regular time with your children, this activity supports healthy brain development that forms a priceless foundation for success at school and on the journey of life. Which toddler doesn’t love sitting on their parent’s lap and hearing that beloved voice reading aloud to them? Reading aloud is invaluable when it comes to language development and promoting early literacy skills such as book handling and naming, understand­ ing how stories work, recognising sounds and letters, expanding vocabulary and honing listening skills. Reading aloud also boosts confidence, helps children cope better with anxiety, develops memory and expands children’s worlds. Literacy Study (PIRLS) in 2016, where an in Africa and revolve around children Sadly, surveys show that only half alarming 78% of Grade 4 learners cannot and animals discovering the world in of parents read to their kids daily, and read for meaning in any language. which they live. These sets are a priceless less than 10% of parents read to their Among various tools promoted investment, not only in terms of serving children from infancy. and disseminated by READ, the READ to build your child’s vocabulary, but as READ Educational Trust is all too ALOUD MAGIC BOX SETS are vital in far as spending quality time with your aware of the power of literacy, and as encouraging reading aloud, and all the little ones goes. Set A is aimed at children a non-profit organisation, focuses on benefits this activity holds. aged 4–7; Set B is suited to kids aged 5–8 promoting literacy across South Africa. Each of three box sets contains 12 and Set C is for children aged 6–9. All While 90% of children may be able to read, beautifully designed books filled with three sets are available online at http:// the most daunting statistic was revealed enchanting, adventure-filled stories www.thereadshop.co.za/. All profits are by the Progress In International Reading set in Africa. These stories are all set ploughed back into promoting literacy.

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