www.sabooksellers.com Issue 89, Jun – Aug 2017

“ These books really help a lot. I always have them every year as they changed my exam results.” – High School Learner

News Magazine of the SA Booksellers Association DIGITAL OXFORD READING TREE

Brand new!

Oxford Reading Tree’s favourite characters Chip, Biff, Kipper and Floppy, are now available in digital format. Stories are packed separately for grades 1, 2 and 3 and photocopiable worksheets are included for each grade. The use of digital readers may ease the teaching task as digital readers can be used for front-of-class reading. The photocopiable worksheets can also be acquired separately to be used along with the printed versions of readers. Included are: • interactive and fun • provides guidelines for activity pages the teacher • large variety of activities • provides links with CAPS • assists with the consolidation of reading and language skills

Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans as Oxford Oxford Storieboom Digi tale Storieboom Leesboeke

021 596 2300 | www.oxford.co.za OxfordSASchools @OxfordSASchools Contents

Regulars General Trade Education 4 • S A Booksellers National Executive Committee 12 The Johannesburg Review of Books 21 Battle of the Books • Bookmark What we’ve all been waiting for… Creating a buzz around reading • SA Booksellers Association 14 Author profile 22 Reading revolution 6 From the Editor Bontle Senne The gift of words 7 Books in Focus 8 From the President 16 South Africa Children’s Book Fair 23 South African solutions 9 SA Bookseller Association initiatives Set to rock Johannesburg Showcased abroad • The all-new Cape Town Book Sale 17 South African Book Fair 24 Not just another study guide • World Book Day celebrations Ready to tell #OURSTORIES No one-size-fits-all when it comes to 29 Member Listing learning styles 18 A different view Trend Watch Franschhoek Literary Festival Libraries 10 Trade sector report in a morning 2017 First quarter 19 Bookselling legend: 26 Increasing capacity and Maria Lastrucci empowering youth 11 National Reading Survey With the NLSA An update on the reading and A life in books book-reading behaviour of adult 20 Bookshops in focus 27 My Library, Your Library South Africans Caxton Books SA Library Week 28 Franschhoek Literary Festival Far reaching effect on the local community

CAPS aligned

Supporting high school learners to achieve their best

STUDY GUIDES EXAM PRACTICE BOOKS LITERATURE STUDY GUIDES GRADE 8 –12 GRADE 10 –12 GRADE 10 –12

Step-by-step explanations Follows National Examination Themes, plots and characters and worked examples. Guidelines. thoroughly explained. Annotated diagrams and CAPS-compliant Diagrams summarise illustrated concepts. exam papers. important content. Graded activities Complete memos with Thought-provoking exercises and answers. mark allocations. and model answers.

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SA Booksellers National Executive Committee

News Magazine of the SA Booksellers Association President and central Region Chairperson Issue 89 • Jun – Aug 2017 Guru Redhi [email protected] • 032 945 1240 Editor Jessica Faircliff

Editorial and Advertising +27 (0)28 312 4799 +27 (0)83 469 2966 • [email protected] Vice President and Digital Sector Chairperson Subscriptions Samantha Faure Melvin Kaabwe +27 (0)21 697 1164 • [email protected] [email protected] • 083 408 7414 Featured ContributOrs Olinka Nel, Freda van Wyk, Angela Briggs, Jenny Hobbs, Patsy Geach

Vice President and Academic Chairperson Photographs Thanks to all for photographic contributions Mohamed Kharwa [email protected] • 031 337 2112 Design and Layout: Through the Looking Glass Printed by: Paarl Media

Treasurer, Education and Southern Region Chairperson Hentie Gericke [email protected] • 021 981 1270

Honorary Secretary Peter Adams SA Booksellers, PO Box 870, Bellville, 7535 [email protected] • 086 134 1341 Tel: 021 697 1164, Fax: 021 697 1410 [email protected] www.sabooksellers.com Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 09h00 to 13h00 Eastern Region Chairperson Sydwell Molosi Website Design: Through the Looking Glass Website Development: Country Digital [email protected] • 072 220 5311 Website Hosting: Databias

About the SA Booksellers’ Association The SA Booksellers Association represents a united front Northern Region Chairperson for booksellers. Through strategic liaison with the different Riaz Hassim sectors of the industry and provinces, SA Booksellers strives [email protected] • 011 482 843 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 the Publishers Association of South Africa (PASA) AGM. General Trade Chairperson The AGM is open to all members of SA Booksellers and is Olinka Nell a conference full of information, energetic discussions, [email protected] • 011 798 0104 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. SA Booksellers works closely with government departments, Library Chairperson educational authorities, and the state tender boards Richard Hargraves concerning matters that affect the trade. [email protected] • 021 447 5682 More than 50% of SA Booksellers members are previously disadvantaged and SA Booksellers is well positioned to lobby government on all issues pertinent to the book trade. The Executive Committee of SA Booksellers and the Editor thank all SA Booksellers provides access to information for all its those who contributed to this issue of Bookmark through articles members, through the commissioning of research papers and/or advertising. and the gathering of news, to the effective dissemination of this information via the industry magazine Bookmark and through www.sabooksellers.com. SA Booksellers National Office Bookmark, the official magazine of SA Booksellers, is distributed free of charge to all members as well as to all influential people in the book trade from publishers to Samantha Faure government departments. The digital edition is sent to [email protected] an ever increasing subscriber database. This magazine 021 697 1164 is a mouthpiece for SA Booksellers members as much as it is a source of information. Send a letter to the editor at [email protected] to get your views published.

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From the Editor

I first met the South African book industry in 2007. The late Frikkie Nel, then manager of the SA Booksellers Association, had recently hired me to edit and produce Bookmark. Much to “In response to a my delight the inaugural Cape Town growing demand for Book Fair was in June of that year at the CTICC and there was a great amount of books by writers from excitement. It was a wonderful event full Africa and the Pan- of promise as the South African Book Industry was enjoying the fruits of John African diaspora, van der Ruit’s Spud phenomenon and a Exclusive Books has public that was hungry for local authors. At what must have been the Sefika PAN-AFRICAN significantly increased Awards Dinner, Elitha van der Sandt WRITING its stockholding of major delivered a speech on the findings of the CATALOGUE 2017 Book Reading Survey the South African works of black literature Book Development Council (SABDC) across its stores.” had done in 2006. She spoke passionately about the state of reading in South Africa and what needed to change within the 1 industry to get more people reading. The SABDC did a follow up to that survey this year and sadly the findings do Week reaches far into the hearts of on the task of analyzing international book not show a huge increase in the number of communities all over the country and fairs for its IPA Global Book Fair Report adult South African’s that read on a regular World Book Day celebrations saw books and what is clear from the IPA’s high-level basis. That number has in fact dropped created in isiXhosa and isiZulu published overview of the book fair scene is that “The from 58% in 2006 to 47% in 2016. News­ specifically for donation during the week main function of professional book fairs papers still make up the largest portion of for the first time this year. is to be a market place for trade profes­ reading material and only one third, 34%, I do believe that the landscape is sionals. Book rights are bought and sold, claim to be reading books in a printed changing. It may have been slow to move and agents pitch new titles to publishers… form. Book readers continue to be dis­ but there is now a groundswell pushing In recent years, buying and selling rights proportionally younger, from higher LSM through the local publishing industry and I has become the most dynamic activity of groups, well educated, white and female. believe that publishers like Cover-to-Cover fairs,” states their introduction. Since the first report there has been who focus specifically on books written by And while the driving engine of a marked growth in the number and and for the African South African youth many book fairs is business, this doesn’t diversity of South African authors being will go from strength to strength. diminish the importance of consumer published. Books up for nomination for In response to a growing demand engagement. Many key events begin as this year’s Nielsen Booksellers Choice for books by writers from Africa and the entirely public-facing events, then evolve award, offers a list of just fewer than 1000 Pan-African diaspora, Exclusive Books to include more Business activity for the titles excluding School and Academic has significantly increased its stockholding industry as it grows. titles published last year. of major works of black literature across The launch of the Johannesburg The Franschhoek Literary Festival was its stores. They have published a catalogue Review of Books is another great move launched in 2007 taking the lead from detailing over 200 of these works, which for the South African book industry and the M&G Literary Festival, which had originate from South Africa, Nigeria, a big play for international attention by launched in 2006. The Open Book Literary Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, the UK, US and all concerned. Festival followed suit in 2011. Last year, the Caribbean, and other territories. I am looking forward to discussing Abantu Book Festival debuted in Soweto, “The consultation and care that went all of this and more at the upcoming owning the space of ‘a literature event that into the selection of titles in the catalogue co-located AGM’s of the SA Booksellers provides black writers and readers the represents an ideal that we strive for as Association and the Publishers Associa­ platform and visibility they deserve’. booksellers,” said Benjamin Trisk, CEO tion of South Africa on the 22nd and 23rd Reading development organisations of Exclusive Books. August at Coastlands, Umhlanga in KZN. such as Nali’bali, Biblionef, Bookdash, This year the SABDC has taken Book your place through Samantha the Children’s Book Network, Fundza, owner­ship of the South African Book Fair Faure ([email protected]). It the Puku Children’s Literature Founda­ and they are moving it squarely into the is an industry event not to be missed. tion and so many others have been African narrative. Each year, the Inter­ doing outstanding work. National Book national Publishers Association (IPA) takes Jessica Faircliff

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Books in focus »

Cover2Cover Books Playing with Fire Contact: [email protected] Sello Mahapeletsa Tel: 021 709 0128, www.cover2cover.co.za. Distributed by: RNA Books Koliwe’s life is turned Tel: 011 473 8704, [email protected] upside down when her father dies and she is sent to Limpopo to live with the #Love Reading mother she thought was Compiled by dead. She is determined Dorothy Dyer and Rosamund Haden to make her mother pay for 978-1-928346-41-8 abandoning her as a baby. RRP: R75 Her new friend Siwela Selected for Exclusive encourages her destructive Books Homebru plan, but will Koliwe get 2017. A collection of burnt when the fire she contemporary South African short stories, poems, blogs and starts gets out of control? articles, to get you thinking, talking, laughing – and crying. High school and librarians will Sello Mahapeletsa is a writer and love these contemporary stories for teens and a teacher, presently employed young adults. as Head of Department at Shapo Primary School in Mangata village, Limpopo. Taking Chances (Harmony High ISBN 978-1-928346-57-9 series) RRP: R75 Sicelo Kula 978-1928346-05-0 This series is latest guaranteed to get teens in the Harmony reading. Fundile can’t High series. stand by and watch Available his friend Sakhe slide The teens here absolutely love the Harmony High 30 June from soccer star to drug series and they just want more!” dealer. When a troubled girl from Fundile’s past – OLICO Youth arrives at school and Sakhe targets her, Fundile is forced to take action.

Blood Ties Playmaker (Soccer Offside (Soccer (Harmony High Season Book 1) Season Book 2) series) Jayne Bauling Jayne Bauling Zimkhitha Mlanzeli 978-1-928346-25-8 978-1-928346-37-1 978-09946516-0-0 RRP: R75 RRP: R75 Another pacy drama Book 1 in an exciting Mondli is the captain set at the fictional action series set in of Sandview A. He’s Harmony High. Pholisa soccer club, written doing his best to lead and her brother Masi by an award-winning his team. But it’s not come to Cape Town local author. Lunga’s easy, with his father for a fresh start. But big chance comes when away and his mother Masi’s life spirals out of control. When Pholisa his team is selected for an open tournament. not coping at home. When the demands of is forced to make one of the most difficult He’s desperate to prove to his father that he home and team clash, Mondli finds out what decisions of her life, she realises just how is a playmaker … Designed to keep readers leadership is really about. Designed to keep strong blood ties really are … entertained while building important language readers entertained while building important skills. For ages 11 years and up. language skills. For ages 11 years and up.

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From the President

Dear Members, The past few months have not been easy ones for booksellers, but as you see from the articles in this issue, members of the trade have been as active as ever. The Cape Town Book Sale – a brain child of the Cape members, but supported by the SA Booksellers Association, has been well supported by the trade and with the advertising that has been arranged, will be a major event. We all know that many fine books end up on the bargain tables and we hope that readers will come from far and wide which will lead to this becoming an annual event. It is encouraging for all of us to see the new genre of township oriented fiction emerging as a really successful one. The good books are rising in the bestseller lists. The readers are largely people who choose to read stories set in their own environments, and we are all hoping this heralds the arrival of a new category of reader. For World Book Day a number of readable cost effective “Educational book sales last Michelin star chef Russell Armstrong. and well written books were published year were excellent in some The special guests were self-published in various languages. These flew out of phenomenon Dudu Busani Dube, and the participating bookshops – especially areas and this year also started founder of The Bright Kids Foundation, Exclusive Books – reinforcing the belief well, stimulated by new Nicholas Jaff. They were singled out for that a new market is emerging. With a Grade 12 literature books being their outstanding contributions to the stable rather than a growing number South African book trade in the last year. of traditional fiction readers, the trade used throughout the country.” All the authors featured at Franschhoek really needs to expand its reading market, see a spike in the sales of their books, and this may be the answer. Perhaps this be placed, which disturbs booksellers. often pushing the titles onto the Nielsen will lead eventually to the emergence of We understood that the managing agent bestseller list for that week. This includes township general bookshops! allowed only a 15% discount on all all the local writers, who form the Educational book sales last year were orders. Further, on large ones booksellers majority of featured personalities. Next excellent in some areas and this year also often give well over 16%. It is difficult year festival goers can look forward to started well, stimulated by new Grade 12 then to give high discounts on the meeting UK historian Sir Richard Evans, literature books being used throughout smaller orders and still trade profitably. who has already accepted Benjamin’s the country. A late decision to allow SA Booksellers Association is discussing invitation for 2018.” the use of the old books depressed the how to address the problem. The next few months see the first demand but the new books will no Olinka Nel reports from Exclusive South African Book Fair organised by the doubt be fully implemented next year. Books, who were the official booksellers Department of Trade and Industry. This After many years teaching the same for the Franschhoek Literary Festival will have many new features and we are “old” books, how much more interesting for the 9th year in a row, that sales were all excited about it. Do read the article on it will be for the teachers to have significantly up over last year. the Fair in this issue. something new. “The undisputed star of the festival The SA Booksellers Association Booksellers in KZN recently read was international human rights lawyer Annual General meetings also take a circular encouraging all schools, Philippe Sands, who was personally place from 22nd August. We will soon be including the Sect 21 schools, to use invited by our CEO, Benjamin Trisk, sending out details and look forward to the managing agent for purchases along with renowned US historian hosting many members in Durban. because they had found examples of Deborah Lipstadt. On the Thursday overcharging. SA Booksellers Association night Exclusive Books hosted a most discourages members from doing this. memorable dinner at Pierneef a La Motte, The KZN DOE has now imposed a complete with a capella opera singers Guru Redhi minimum 16% discount on all orders to and a gourmet dinner conjured up by President, SA Booksellers Association

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SA Booksellers association InitIatives »

The all-new Cape Town Book Sale Fri 16 – Sun 18 June The Cape Town Book Sale is a brand new 9am – 10pm consumer event, run under the auspices The Avenue, V&A Waterfront of the SA Booksellers Association. Bargain Books, Wordsworth Books, Tickets: Books 24/7, Wilstan Books, Hargrave R25 per person Kids under 12 FREE Library Suppliers and Caxton Books will (10.30am–10pm) be selling a huge selection of multilingual, Beat The Crowd Tickets: multi-cultural books from all genres that R125 per person will appeal to all book lovers at the lowest (9–10.30am) prices available in Cape Town. Promoted by the V&A Waterfront Visit the website: www.capetownbooksale.co.za and the Aquarium, the SA Booksellers Association hopes that this will become www.facebook.com/capetownbooksale an annual event. Tickets available at: twitter.com/CTBookSale “Caxton Books in partnership with https://www.webtickets.co.za/event. www.instagram.com/ctbooksale/ Penguin Random House will have a aspx?itemid=1469561447 www.linkedin.com/company/ huge selection of books covering all their the-cape-town-book-sale imprints including Struik. The books will appeal to readers young and old, Moms “It would be nice if this became titles at a fraction of the normal price,” and Dads; and will include recently an annual event in the CT calendar says John O’Sullivan of Bargain Books. published titles that have just dropped affording book lovers the opportunity “Books 24/7 will concentrate on off bestseller lists. With sales being the to buy bargain books which the Cape Afrikaans and English children’s books. ultimate target we hope that the selection Town Book Fair offered in the past. We Most of our books like Beertjie se of books and great value pricing will will offer an extensive range of fiction vriendin, Beertjie kry ‘n soen and the big bring capetonians out in their hordes and non-fiction, as well as kids books. book of blockbusters like Oxford School and allow us to make this a yearly event Discounts will be greater than 50% off Dictionary for learners will be on sale for in the Cape Town social calendar,” says RRP offering a fantastic opportunity to R50 per book,” says Hentie Gericke of Jonathan Ferreira of Caxton Books. pick up both literary and mass market Books 24/7.

World Book Day was very happy to be selected by the SA Booksellers Association. “We look celebrations forward to getting the donated books This year’s World Book Day campaign into the hands of communities where run in collaboration with Jacana Media books are needed. The books will also and Exclusive Books saw special mini be used for a new exciting project, the editions of the best loved tales of Africa Reading Room Project, which will see created and published. These three titles the development of mobile reading were translated and made available in rooms, creating a platform for the English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu: community to be part of a reading • Refilwe by Zukiswa Wanner culture,” said Jeff Paulse from Reading • The Hyena and the Seven Little Kids and Writing Solutions. by Carol Bloch • The Ugly Duckling by Sindiwe Magona.

All branches of Exclusive Books, Bargain Books and Wordsworth Books as well as Adams Bookshop in Pietermaritzburg participated. The beneficiary, Reading and Writing Solutions, a community based literacy and reading intervention NGO,

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Trade sector report 2017 First quarter By Olinka Nel, General Trade Chairperson, SA Booksellers Association

In the bookselling world, the first quarter Nielsen figures forT rade, excluding Academic (weeks 1–13) of 2017 remained a tough one, despite Extended Panel YTD pre-cabinet-reshuffle optimism. As the currency rebounded, price increases YTD Value QTY ISBN ASP started to slow down but remained up on 2017 352 913 747 2 326 212 159 204 151,71 the previous year. The slow-down however 2016 369 625 695 2 522 246 157 732 146,55 did not lead to a slow-down in unit sales decline, thereby hitting bottom lines with a double whammy. It all points towards Year on Year % Growth Panel YTD a depressed economy and less disposable YTD Value QTY ISBN ASP income in South African households. 16-17 -4,52% -7,77% 0,93% 3,52%

“In the trenches, booksellers Pos Title Author Imprint QTY were downbeat about the 1 War Cry Smith, Wilbur HarperCollins Publis 9 468 economy, but upbeat about the 2 Born a Crime Noah, Trevor Pan Macmillan SA 8 685 changing market. The name 3 The Book of Joy Lama, Dalai;Tutu, Desmond Hutchinson 4 576 on everyone’s lips was Dudu 4 The Bikini Body Itsines, Kayla Bluebird 4 433 5 Double Down Kinney, Jeff Puffin 4 093 Dube, self-published author of 6 John Platter Wine Guide 2017 Platter, John John Platter 2 717 the Hlomu the Wife romance 7 Small Great Things Picoult, Jodi Hodder & Stoughton L 2 709 trilogy. Exclusive Books sold 8 The Whistler Grisham, John Hodder & Stoughton L 2 384 more than 2000 copies of the 9 Two by Two Sparks, Nicholas Sphere 2 269 three titles in the first quarter, 10 Not without a fight Zille, Helen The Penguin Group (S 1 989 and reportedly could have tripled that if more stock had CAT Value YOY% QTY YOY% ISBN YOY% ASP YOY% been available.” Total 514 205 266 -2,0 3 095 918 -7,0 190 528 1,1 166,09 5,4 Adult Fiction 76 799 651 -5,8 455 754 -11,7 37 388 2,1 168,51 6,6 In terms of general trade titles, the Adult Non-Fiction 263 302 939 -4,0 1 151 721 -10,2 86 250 4,4 228,62 7,0 quarter was dominated by the new Wilbur Children Fiction 36 599 635 -1,4 275 493 -6,8 18 375 0,2 132,85 5,7 Smith, which was heavily discounted by Children Non- 98 600 835 1,4 823 606 -8,1 30 126 -0,3 119,72 10,3 most bookshops. The Christmas success Fiction of Trevor Noah’s autobiography and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s collaboration with the Dalai Lama continued over the have tripled that if more stock had been Vendor Changes period, while fitness star Kayla Itsines available. Peter Adams reported sales • New World Library will now be took the New Year’s market by storm in excess of 1000. Her books have hit a represented by SG with The Bikini Body. nerve with its colloquial language and • Adams Media moved representation Unit sales in all categories were down, cliff-hanger formula, and have turned her from Real Books to Jonathan Ball with average selling price increases main­ into a publishing superstar overnight. Publishers tained in all categories. The only category The Andy Griffiths tour in February • Disney moved from Pearson to with value growth was Children’s Non- brought some excitement to the trade as Penguin Random House Fiction, ironically driven by the highest well, with many school visits and a great • Quivertree moved distribution of increase in price. boost to sales. Pan MacMillan reported their titles to Pan MacMillan. In the trenches, booksellers were year-to-date sales of over 10 000 units • Solarpop used to distribute Epic downbeat about the economy, but upbeat across his Treehouse series. games, but they will now represent about the changing market. The name On a sad note, the trade had to bid themselves in South Africa. on everyone’s lips was Dudu Dube, self- farewell to icon Maria Lastrucci early in published author of the Hlomu the Wife April after she lost her battle with cancer. romance trilogy. Exclusive Books sold The Phambili team are like family to SA more than 2000 copies of the three titles booksellers, and Maria’s loss will be keenly All data kindly provided by SAPnet. in the first quarter, and reportedly could felt. Read about her legacy on page 19.

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National Reading Survey An update on the reading and book-reading behaviour of adult South Africans

A first National Reading Survey, carried Percentage of leisure readers reading. Attitudinal shifts in how reading out in 2006, commissioned and managed at each level of education and books are perceived are crucial for by the South African Book Development tangible changes in reading behaviour Council (SABDC) has now been followed to occur. Importantly, education on up by another survey in 2016, which pro­ the causal link between reading from vides not only up-to-date information on Post matric 59% a young age and literacy development South Africans’ reading habits, but also for educational attainment needs to a means of assessing whether changes be appropriately channelled if they are have occurred in various areas of enquiry to actively boost adults’ interest and over the past decade. The full report can motivation in reading to children. be found at www.sabookcouncil.co.za High school completed/ Reading needs to be promoted as and we provide a few points of interest matriculated 47% a fun and enjoyable activity. Reading from the official summary released by the for pleasure has positive implications SABDC earlier this year. for academic performance. Adults have to lead by example and model Some high school 38% Findings on book reading this behaviour to children. As well as Just fewer than half of adult South Africans read to their children, they have to read read print media/books, dropping from Primary schooling 19% themselves. 58% in 2006 to 47% in 2016. News­papers Community media – newspapers and make up the largest proportion of the No schooling 3% radio – should be the portals through reading material repertoire, and only one which to communicate messages. third – 34% – claim to be reading books months, and of 0.4 digital books on The promotion of a book-reading in a printed form. Book readers are average. Most people who bought books culture requires us to think beyond dis­proportionally (a) younger, (b) from did so on a monthly basis, spending an the world of printed books, to that of higher LSM groups, (c) well educated and average of R171 on their purchase. digital platforms. Given the widespread (d) white and female. Almost six in ten people are living ownership and use of mobile technolo­ The Reading Index generated by this in households without a single book. gies in South Africa, digital media are study shows that South Africans are very Poorer households with lower levels of currently underutilised in their capacity “light” readers overall. Half of South education are less likely to have books in as reading channels. New formats and African adults read for leisure at least their home. content capable of being appropriated by once a week, with a further one in five The library tops the list of places such widespread technology need to be claiming to read less often, making for where adult South Africans prefer to introduced. Mobile phones can become an “ever read” incidence of 70%. Leisure obtain their books. One in four adult libraries accessible to anyone, anywhere readers spend an average of four hours a South Africans visits the library. and at any time, through the simple click week reading. 35% of adults with children in their of a few buttons. Positively, 14% of leisure readers say home read to their children. For a variety of reasons, libraries they would consider reading books in the still hold a substantial appeal for many future, taking the total reading potential Where to from here? people. More library access points must from the current 34% (for actually read) Messages that equate reading and books continue to be created. to 48% (for potentially read). The reading with strong literacy skills and improved of books constitutes 21.3% of total life opportunities need to be explicit Conclusion reading time. and at the core of every communication, A reading culture is one in which reading The lack of easy access to, and the campaign or intervention. The activities (a) takes centre stage in people’s lives; non-affordability of books are the two that people engage in in their leisure (b) is an habitual activity; and (c) is biggest barriers to people reading books time should be the very avenues through appreciated and understood as a key need as opposed to reading newspapers. which reading needs to be celebrated and among the general population. For this Books’ market strengths lie in their encouraged. For example, newspaper culture to pervade, we need to cultivate ability to be recommended by other readers need to be persuaded to add a love for reading from a very young age. readers; and in their availability in a books to their reading repertoire. The approaches outlined above drive the chosen language. Survey respondents Opportunities to increase the number attitudinal and behavioural shifts that felt that reading material must be (a) of books in households, especially in build the foundation for a reading culture enjoyable, (b) in touch with the times, (c) more disadvantaged areas and poorer to grow, with positive developmental out­ easy to understand and (d) easy to read. provinces, need to be actively sought. comes for all. Book readers claimed to have read At the same time, access to books For a full copy of the report please an average of 3.1 books in the past six does not necessarily translate into actual visit www.sabookcouncil.co.za.

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The Johannesburg Review of Books What we’ve all been waiting for…

In a stunning turn of events, a big calls for the decolonisation of the literary were very close friends already, calling African literary journal has launched in landscape and as African voices are on their friends to write and contribute. South Africa. The Johannesburg Review truly finding their own space with a Obviously such a magazine also requires of Books (The JRB), which debuted rhythm and a cadence that is truly of editors with a strong sense of their on 1 May, will publish reviews, essays, the continent. moment, who recognise that there is an poetry, photographs and short stories opening for their authors to reshape the from South Africa, Africa, and further “We also hope to provide larger conversations about the culture in abroad. Taking its cue from the London a way that people may not realise they’re Review of Books and the New York a new space for writers missing or looking for, but will recognise of Books, The JRB will offer literary from South Africa, Africa once they get it.” perspectives from a major urban and It couldn’t be said better. The entire intellectual centre, but this time the and beyond to ruminate on interview with Gourevitch on The JRB perspectives will be African. Keeping culture, politics, history website is well worth the time invested. with the times, the review is digital and and the arts, publishing “What is your vision for the future?” available via a monthly newsletter and we asked. online (johannesburgreviewofbooks.com). pieces that stand up both “We’ve gathered together a formidable Bookmark got in touch with the team to intellectual scrutiny group of people: our Patrons are the and asked what gave them this remarkable esteemed writers Achmat Dangor, Ivan idea and how they got it off the ground. and to the great wash of Vladislavić and Makhosazana Xaba – “Whenever a significant work of information that nowadays all three very much associated with fiction or non-fiction is published, it is causes all but the most Johannesburg – and our Contributing reviewed in literary cities around the Editors include Bongani Madondo, world,” editor Jennifer Malec says. “There memorable writing to fade.” Henrietta Rose-Innes, Efemia Chela, is the London Review of Books, the Los Victor Dlamini, Rustum Kozain, Niq Angeles Review of Books, the New York I quote from JRB Editorial Advisory Mhlongo and Simon van Schalkwyk. We Review of Books, the Berlin Review of Panel member Philip Gourevitch, author also have an extensive Editorial Advisory Books, and many others. But there is no and long-time staff writer at The New Panel, featuring writers based around Nairobi Review of Books, no Kinshasa Yorker, who was editor of The Paris the world. With this brains trust and a Review of Books. In fact, there is no Review from 2005 to 2010. Gourevitch talented pool of contributors, we hope ‘review of books’ based in an African city. gave The JRB a long interview on the art to grow The JRB into an internationally We want to provide a space for cultural of the literary review for the launch issue: recognised publication, encouraging other criticism on global literature and the arts “I think that, as a rule, the great similar enterprises across the continent.” originating from Johannesburg, southern literary journals often arise from a Highlights from the first issue include Africa and Africa. particular moment and place, where new poetry by Kozain, as well as Sailing “We also want to create an environ­ there is an opening in the literary world with The Argonauts: A personal history of ment where top-quality writing is given that may or may not be aware of itself as Christmas, queerness and Maggie Nelson the space to breathe, and we are hugely such beforehand. Often they are started by Chela and Madondo’s review of 2016 encouraged by the enthusiastic response by young people who are breaking into PEN South Africa Student Writing Prize- we have received to the longer pieces in writing about books and literature and winner Koleka Putuma’s debut collection our first issue, which backs up our belief ideas, the cultural and political life of of poetry Collective Amnesia, which reads that there is a market for such writing. their time and place, and their world – like an extended love poem itself. Go and “For example, I have run into three and they decide, ‘Why should we wait read it all. people who have told me they bought for the current gatekeepers, with their “Our aim is to fill a conspicuous gap Grace A Musila’s book A Death Retold current frameworks, to make room in world letters: namely, the lack of an in Truth and Rumour – which was for us? Let’s start our own magazine.’ authoritative review from Africa covering largely ignored in the mainstream Such magazines often have the feeling significant books from across the globe. press – because they read the review by of a club, a group of friends, or of While African literature itself is bursting Makhosazana Xaba in The JRB.” like-minded people as they start out – at the seams, and very well-supported The JRB is published by Ben whether it’s The Partisan Review in the by digital literati (not to mention well- Williams, who as the founder of Books nineteen-thirties, or The Dial back in the explored by the global academy), it’s still Live and one of the founders of the Open eighteen-forties, or The New York Review the case that critical voices from Africa Book Festival needs no introduction, of Books, which saw the opportunity are not as well-heard, when it comes to and edited by Malec, former Books Live to launch during a newspaper strike in considering new works of fiction and editor. This dynamic team could not New York in the sixties, and which really non-fiction – whether these be from Cape have timed it better amid worldwide was a group of editors and writers who Town, Johannesburg, Lagos, Mumbai,

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Toronto, Dublin or other publishing that nowadays causes all but the most keep a close eye on the publishing hubs – as voices from city-arbiters of memorable writing to fade. To that end, and bookselling industry, we’d also literary taste like Sydney, Los Angeles, we will publish reviews, essays, poetry, encourage people to get in touch with New York, and London. The JRB hopes to short fiction and photographs in a single any bookish news or information change that,” says their mission statement. issue each month, plus a regular sampling they think deserves to be covered by “We also hope to provide a new space of African literary life on our blog.” The JRB. Our email address is editor@ for writers from South Africa, Africa and How best would you like the johannesburgreviewofbooks.com. beyond to ruminate on culture, politics, publishing and bookselling industry to We’re also on Facebook, Twitter, history and the arts, publishing pieces use or get involved with The JRB? Instagram and Medium – all at the that stand up both to intellectual scrutiny “At the moment we’re looking for handle @joburgreview – so give us a and to the great wash of information good writers, in all genres. While we follow on those platforms too.”

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Author profile Bontle Senne By Angela Briggs

Angela Briggs of Cover 2 Cover Books So given these clear, proven benefits of children. When I was media fellow of interviews Bontle Senne, author of the reading and reading fiction – what’s really Golden Baobab in 2014, I wrote about Shadow Chaser series. scary about it? the sense of loss I felt at the stories about my culture and (supernatural) heritage In a previous interview you’ve said that What does writing a series give you, that my grandmother never shared with wearing glasses and reading got you and your readers, that a stand-alone me because they seemed to have no place bullied at school, which is why standing book doesn’t? in my formal or informal education in up to bullying is one of the themes Friends that you can keep coming back her mind. I’m still pretty bleak about it. in your books – but what has reading to and having adventures with and keep I spent six months in Sierra Leone last done for you? learning from. I hardly ever re-read year so there was also a fair bit of trying An easier question to answer would books. Once I’ve had the experience, to understand what local myths I could be what reading hasn’t done for me. I I’ve had it. A series keeps learning and dig up and rework into Lake of Memories. consider my love of reading to be the changing with you. New experiences with I wasn’t very successful. As it turns out, thing that changed the trajectory of my the same characters can be a lot of fun. many in Sierra Leone are incredibly life. I was born in Soweto, the daughter superstitious and viewed chatting to me of two nurses and the granddaughter of If you could give your younger writer about terrible, dark, and maybe magical two domestic workers. My mother is an self some encouragement, what would things as highly inappropriate. inspiration for working her way to being it be? For Book 3, I was in Nigeria for two a powerhouse in corporate South Africa Yes, everything you write is terrible. No, months so that influenced the kind of but I would not have been able to make it’s not the end of the world. Keep writing monsters I wanted to write. I love the the most of the opportunities she worked anyway. You’ll get better. way Nigerians speak, they have such a to get me if I hadn’t loved stories. Stories colourful use of language and a change of were a gateway drug to novels, novels If you had to do something differently tone or inflection here or there can totally to poetry and philosophy textbooks, as a child or teenager to become a better change the meaning of a word, even textbooks led to newspapers and opinion writer as an adult, what would you do? in the same context. I really wanted a pieces. I could go on but I think the point I would care less about my English mark. character like that who was that colourful I’m making is clear: I have built my life I cared a lot about what teachers thought and unpredictable so my research on a stack of books. of my writing in school. I thought it focused on trying to get the right kind would impact how good a writer I would of mythical creature with the right kind What are you reading at the moment? become in the future and maybe it did of temperament for the story I wanted On audiobook, I’m “reading” Margret but, in my mind, their opinions were to tell. Atwood’s The Heart Goes Last. On the only ones that mattered to me, I Kindle, I just finished All the Bright Places considered them my editors. I didn’t Apart from being fabulous to read, by Jennifer Niven. In print, I am mostly realise that actual editors invest much your work is about making an African reading speculative fiction for some of more of themselves in their feedback and heritage come alive for children. What the local literary festivals where I am input. That they aren’t grading you – it’s are your thoughts around getting local chairing panels. I just started South by not a pass or a fail. It’s more like they books to readers? Frank Owen (aka Diane Awerbuck and are helping you keep a promise to your I’ve never been one to buy into the Alex Latimer). readers – to tell the most authentic story “Africans don’t want to read” hype. I’m you can and re-write it as many times as not saying that there isn’t a huge challenge Fantasy adventure (the genre that you you need to, to make it great. Teachers for trade publishers and booksellers in write) is sometimes seen as popular with never made me re-write anything. South Africa. There is, of course. But children, but not so much with their the absence of relevant, engaging, local parents – What would you say to parents You draw on mythology from all over and accessible literature is something who worry that there is something bad Africa in your books. What kind of that is improving pretty slowly. My or scary about the genre? research do you do, and how long do former life at Puku Children’s Literature There are too many real life, actual you spend researching before beginning Foundation taught me that parents are dangers for you to be worried about. a book? especially hungry for those kind of books Nothing a child can experience in Research for Book 2 involved re- for their children. What surprised me my books can really hurt them but it watching every episode of Buffy the when Shadow Chasers came out was could keep them away from real harm. Vampire Slayer and reading a lot of how hungry kids are for that change. Numerous studies are also clear that academic texts on monsters and rituals I spoke to five year olds at Kingsmead fiction in general has a strong positive across the continent. I also try to ask Book Fair, shooting apologetic looks at effect on a child’s educational outcomes adults about the supernatural stories their parents for the nightmares I was and ability to empathize with others. that their grandmothers told them as afraid I was causing. I spoke to matrics in

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of the answer to that but somehow I keep finding out new things about these people that supposedly live in my head. Nom, Zee, Rosy, and the new characters introduced in Book 3 feel closer to friends you love but don’t see that often than figments of my imagination. Book 3 is called Flame of Truth and as the penultimate book in the series, it is the start of the epic final battle between the Shadow Chasers and the Army of Shadows. Nom, Zee, and Rosy are building their own army, in a sense, in this book.

Last year, after publishing Lake of Memories, you said that you felt successful already, having got your two book babies out in the world. Apparently there was a lot in interest in your books at the 2017 Bologna Book Fair – how does entering a world market sound to you? All I ever wanted was to have my book- babies out in the world for children to read and enjoy. I wanted to write about and be able to travel the world and talk about other people’s books and I’ve done a fair bit of that too in the last five years. But the more practical part of me also recognizes that being able to financially support myself entirely as a writer is the ultimate literary success – and one that not many African writers get to experience unfortunately. If entering the world market helps me reach more children and entrench African children’s literature in the global kidlit ecosystem, I am all for it.

Does writing energize or exhaust you? With a full time day job and an actual life, I think sitting down to write when you would rather be sleeping or eating ice-cream for breakfast in front of the TV their last year of school and trying to do generations. And let’s not forget about the is always going to be a bit of a drag. That everything they could to get me to keep supernatural elements …Things that go being said: I find that after I have written reading to them and postpone going back bump in the night are as much a part of anything, I feel great. It’s the sitting down, to class as part of Franschhoek Literary our heritage as art, music, language and I opening my laptop, ignoring Twitter and Festival. I spoke at St Dominics School was glad to discover that kids think so too. staying awake part that I find exhausting. for the Deaf aided by an incredible sigh The having to write part is exhausting. language interpreter for the fill school and How do you feel about your relation­ The having written part is fun. their teachers. Every time I was amazed by ship with your characters now that you how children of different ages got caught are busy with Book 3? What’s the title, What are common traps for aspiring up in the story, how they begged me to and what can your readers expect? writers? keep reading, how they stampeded their I feel like I know my characters much I have heard many writers say that they librarian to find out when they would better now. I actually find myself have a great idea of a book or a great have the book. Part of it must have been laughing at loud about some of the story to tell. That may be true. But if the novelty – a story set in a township, things Nom says and does. It sounds it’s not on the page, it doesn’t exist. The an adventure between a taxi owner’s boss weird because, logically, I wrote it so key is to write everything down. The and the orphan who lives on her dad’s how am I laughing at what is essentially trap is imaging that thinking about it property, a girl who doesn’t care that she’s my own joke? She is my creation so how or dreaming about it or talking about it not pretty and a mystery that spans back can she surprise me? I am still not sure alone will make your book real.

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South Africa Children’s Book Fair Set to rock Johannesburg By James Murua

The South Africa Children’s Book Fair libraries in community schools so they Nosipho Shabalala will be launching 2017 supported by the City of Ekurhuleni, don’t have to depend on donors. This her debut novel I want to touch the promises big things. Its main aim is to especially applies in primary school rainbow, a book written for the age group promote and increase literacy levels in libraries in disadvantaged communities 4 –7 years, at the festival. Cath Alexander the South African country and foster throughout the country. whose book Timothy’s Tomatoes, aimed the joy of reading in children. The next So who will be featuring at the at Grade 1 and 2 learners’ hopes to reach generation of readers will be encouraged venue in Johannesburg in June? There children in more disadvantaged schools, to develop reading skills, enabling them will be publishers, writers, comic where literature is so desperately needed. to read and explore the wealth of infor­ strip writers, illustrators, storytellers, mation found in books. librarians, suppliers of art board games The fair also aims to encourage book and other equipment that is used for the festival details 15–18 June 2017 at Birchwood Hotel, writers, publishers, and illustrators from development of children in this inaugural Boksburg, Johannesburg disadvantaged areas to have a platform children’s book fair. where they can discuss challenges facing Celebrated storyteller and children Entry fees: Parents (and young adults over 18) R50; Pensioners R30; Teens their market and find ways of expanding book writer Dr Gcina Mhlophe will be R20; Children under 13 years FREE to a wider network. one of the key participants. Philani Dladla, (children should be in the company Apart from growing a love of reading author of the Pavement Bookworm will of adults at all times). and giving industry players a platform, lead motivational talks. Azrah Osman, a Tickets are available at Webtickets, the festival is hoping to raise funds to renowned illustrator will host workshops, Pick n Pay stores, the festival’s enable the Foundation to execute its introducing the children to the amazing official Facebook page or website. ultimate goal of building and renovating world of illustrations.

Confluence: Beyond Asylum Free Association The Fix the River with Marcus Low Steven Boykey Sidley David Baldacci Siseko Ntondini April 2017 May 2017 May 2017 Piers Cruickshanks April 2017

American War The Soweto Uprisings: Wellbeing Economy: Against All Odds Omar El Akkad Counter-Memories Success in a World Danielle Steel May 2017 of 1976 Without Growth June 2017 Sifiso Mxolisi Ndlovu Lorenzo Fioramonti June 2017 June 2017

For publicity contact: Eileen Bezemer at [email protected] or call 011 731 3440. Visit our website to sign up to our mailing list to www.panmacmillan.co.za receive newsletters and win great prizes. www.instagram.com/panmacmillansa

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South African Book Fair Ready to tell #OURSTORIES

The South African Book Fair is now people based in and around Gauteng to owned by the South African Book attend the Fair,” says Elitha van der Sandt, Development Council (SABDC) and CEO of the SABDC. will be incorporated into the successful annual National Book Week, which has Suggestions welcome already established itself in the South “The planning phase has grown the African calendar in the first full week Fair into an organic and exciting book- of September. industry event. Very creative ideas have The Fair is a unique opportunity been hatched by all those we engaged for the book publishing industry to with, and we are carefully nurturing these collectively position itself as a relevant, ideas into fully fledged events. inclusive and important part of South We continue to welcome suggestions for Africa and Africa’s development. It is SABF 2017, and invite you to share your an opportunity to interact and engage energising and forward-moving ideas with all links in the value chain, with with the SABF team at: sabookfair@ government and the public at large. In southafricanbookfair.co.za.” turn, South Africans from all walks of “This year’s South African life will be able to access the diverse Book Fair wants to be – The theme of the SABF 2017 is content produced by its world class book #OurStories industry, listen to, mingle and debate first and foremost – about South Africans have a rich heritage and with a wide variety of authors. sharing and celebrating a strong sense of culture, and these are The Newtown Precinct will be the embodied in the stories we tell. Each home of SABF from the 8–10 September our stories and those of one of us has a story to share. Some of 2017. Various venues will be used our continent.” these stories have been documented, to provide the necessary spaces and given spoken and/or written form, while platforms for the programme of activities others simply live in our hearts, souls planned. They include Museum Africa, value chain. This space is intended to and minds. the Market Square, the Market Theatre, provide opportunities for all those who Our diversity makes us who we Kippies and the Newtown Junction. use it to full effect. are, but at times we let ourselves down by judging instead of celebrating each The Literary Programme Exhibition spaces other. Sharing our stories has a uniquely The literary component of SABF The key information for exhibitors is as unifying purpose. This is especially the 2017 offers a varied line-up of events follows: case with ‘stories without boundaries’, for diverse audiences, with generous • There is exhibition space of more than that is stories that are created in a spirit offerings of fiction and non-fiction. 600 m2 available, with storage space a of freedom. There will be everything from readings priority. This year’s South African Book Fair of children’s books, through poetry and • Stand sizes range from 2 m2 to 24 m2. wants to be – first and foremost – about performance, to engagement around • Exhibitors will include book-industry sharing and celebrating our stories and contemporary political issues; from book companies, ancillary services and those of our continent. tours and book-club chats to test kitchens institutions in the book trade. Stories have a transformative power for recipe books on local-cuisine; and that ought to be made manifest to readers from practical workshops to ‘philosophy Publicity and marketing and non-readers alike. This can be cafés’. With more than 100 South African “In 2016, National Book Week (NBW) achieved by supplying potential readers writers and at least five international garnered R44 million in PR value. with a pragmatic reason for picking up guests participating, and more than 60 Its hosting of the SABF means that a book and exploring the adventure in events on the programme, this aspect the ‘muscle’ of NBW can be used to its pages. We can also share with these of the Fair will amply showcase the encourage support for the Fair. readers how books remind us of who tantalising benefits of being part of a PR coverage will be garnered from we are, encourage us, instil hope in us, reading public. all media platforms and we are also educate and empower us. proud to confirm the renewed support These aims can only be achieved The Business to Business space of the SABC Foundation for NBW through a vibrant book industry, which The slightly more industry focused, but 2017. This entails TV adverts on SABC for centuries has been the strongest equally stimulating, Business to Business 1, 2 and 3, and radio adverts on all 11 enabler in us telling #OURSTORIES. programme promises interaction among SABC stations. We will weave Book Fair For more information please visit the various key stakeholders in the book messages into these adverts, to encourage www.sabookfair.co.za.

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A different view Franschhoek Literary Festival in a morning By Jessica Faircliff

I could only attend the first morning of the Franschhoek Literary Festival this year and I didn’t choose my sessions for the big names, so forgive me if there is no mention of the literati in this piece. I was looking for seeds of change. My first session, Measuring the rift, was in a packed school hall. Rebecca Davis chatted to journalist and agricultural economist Tracy Ledger and international relations and African diplomacy scholar Oscar van Heerden about how far we are from equality, and what it looks like. Interestingly the dialogue was mostly about how spiraling food prices are one of the major barriers to building an inclusive and equitable society in South Africa. Tracey spoke passionately about food waste, food security, farming in South Africa, supermarkets and their power in the value chain, and the stigmatization associated with food charity and hunger. “Why are we not more angry about hunger?” she asked. Oscar, being the diplomat, spoke mostly about South Africa’s international relations with its neighbours and also the colonial superpowers. We can expect more refugees from Zimbabwe no matter Top: Are writers born or made? Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, Sindiwe Magona, Miranda Sherry and Ekow what happens in that country he said, and Duker. above left: Books on sale. above right: Love reading, love writing with Joanne Hichens, we are in the process of looking to a new Ndibulele Sothondoshe, Nandipha Tshabane and Zimkhitha Mlanzeli. imperial power in China in the hope that they will be better than the previous one. Tshabane, Ndibulele Sotondoshe and South Africa with well written stories of Politically, socially and economically, Zimkhitha Mlanzeli about how their their experience. it seems there is an ever-widening rift writing came to be included in #Love Everyone who was at the Love reading, between South Africans and I wonder if Reading, an anthology of poetry, prose love writing session followed me to the Con­ it can be stopped and reversed by simply and nonfiction, published by the FundZa gregational Church to listen to Bronwyn boycotting supermarkets and bowing Literacy Trust and Cover-to-Cover. Law-Viljoen discuss the ways writers find down to China. The Church Hall was not packed, but to practice their craft with Ekow Duker, As I made my way through the streets the demographic was more representative Miranda Sherry and Sindiwe Magona. of Franschhoek, I noted the well dressed, than I have seen in Franschhoek before. These are writers that are practiced, mostly white South Africans, walking in These young writers were amazing. confident, brilliant and at ease with their tight groups, chatting easily, with bags They brimmed with confidence, their profession. I watched the young writers full of books. I also noted the tables laden atti­tude was one of a deep pride and and their fan club from the session before with books by the participating speakers exhila­­ration for what they have achieved. listening attentively to everything the outside the different venues. Exclusive For the work that Fundza and Cover- panel had to say. Are Writers Born or Books staff highly visible and busy pack­ to-Cover Books is doing with regards Made? There has to be something within ing out new books for every session. I can to getting young African kids from the that is released through the act of writing imagine the spike in sales for these authors townships reading and also writing. the panel agrees, but all writers are made must be quite dramatic over this week in All three writers are writing thanks to by the practicing of their craft and they comparison to the rest of the year. the outreach work and mentorship of should all continue to learn and improve Love reading, love writing was my Fundza. They have voices they never upon that their whole lives. I look next session where Joanne Hichens knew they could express and they are forward to seeing what Fundza’s young spoke to young African writers Nandipha reaching children and teen­agers across writers will be doing in the years to come.

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Bookselling legend: Maria Lastrucci A life in books By Olinka Nel

Maria was born on 5th July 1945, in Egypt, to immigrant Italian parents. At an early age, she was exposed to a diverse world of culture and art. The family’s subsequent relocation to the then Rhodesia, saw her completing her school years in a boarding school – where she excelled at the arts-managing, directing and more often than not starring in many a school production. She obviously left a mark, as many years later with the advent of Facebook, long lost school friends remembered her and reunited with her. Her humble beginnings in the book trade can be characterised by her formative learning curve at Vanguard Booksellers in the early 60’s. Vanguard Booksellers was started in the early 1930’s by a Russian immigrant and Trotskyist named Fanny Klenerman, who at the time positioned herself at the cutting edge of metropolitan modernity. It became a radical intellectual centre and was for many years the only supplier of left-wing literature in South Africa, stocking The New Masses, Left Book Club publications and the Modern Library series. Its employees included, among others, anti-apartheid activist Helen Joseph and Bloke Modisane, author of Blame Me on History. Fanny took Maria under her wing, “This was the beginning a very leftist book distributor known as and her love for the book trade began. of a legacy. Her fierce and Phambili Agencies by her friend – Jean This was an easy introduction for Maria Knopperson, who, wanted her to join who had been fighting for human rights determined character – and him and broaden the scope of his books. and equality her whole life. more importantly, her passion This was the beginning of a legacy. Her Maria, for the most part spent her for books, built a company fierce and determined character – and working life surrounded by books that she more importantly, her passion for so loved. She took a brief sabbatical after [Phambili Agencies] that has books, built a company that has been in the birth of her children, but the sudden been in existence for twenty existence for twenty one years. Phambili tragic loss of her very young husband one years.” Agencies became her reason to exist, forced her to start earning a living and but also allowed her to indulge in her she returned to the work she so loved – other passion – her love for travel. She bookselling. She never remarried and formed long-lasting bonds. Sandra Van loved going to Book Fairs, and used these single-handled brought up three daugh­ Loggerenberg: a dear friend who needs occasions to travel extensively, including ters. As Louwrens Potgieter (Manager at no introduction, remembers her as one trip, visiting the Lascaux Caves Exclusive books Clearwater), later put it, “someone who put books into hands of in France! “She brought up four daughters – Laura, people who couldn’t afford to buy books. After a nine year long battle with Marina, Rosanna and Phambili.” She loved children’s books and delighted cancer, conducted with great courage and Her book trade career saw her in finding a beautifully illustrated new fortitude, she died in her sleep at home running a library division (this was her edition of an old favourite. She couldn’t on the 11th April 2017. true passion) for Books Only. She later wait to share this with anyone who would Her ability to connect with anyone she managed Sheldon’s at Eastgate – where listen. And her laughter…most of all.” met at a deep level stood her in good stead many book sellers were taken under At the age of fifty, and at the dawn of and her presence will be sorely missed by her wing. Those that met with her often our political democracy, she was offered many in the book trade and beyond.

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Bookshops in focus »

Caxton Books Where: 406 Imam Haron Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town, 7780 Since: We trace our history back to 1948 in Cape Town. Contact: 0861 229 229, Jonathan Ferreira Are you chain or independent? Independant How did you get into the book selling business and acquire your own store? One of my current business partners, Robin Wilson, operated a mail-order business book company, Executive What is a typical workday for you and What is the all-time best seller in your Book Club. In the early 1990’s when the how many hours a day (or week) do you store? Model-C school system was introduced devote to your business? 11,454 copies of the English Handbook he saw the opportunity to start selling I am employed full-time at Caxton Books and Study Guide since 1 December 2010 school textbooks as each school had five days a week. A typical workday and 10,202 of the Afrikaans Handbook to suddenly start purchasing their starts at 7.45 checking emails and client and Study Guide in the same period. own books. He saw an advert I placed services tickets from our website that What do you most enjoy about being a in the Employment Wanted column, have come in overnight. Staff arrive at bookseller? called me and I started as a school sales 8.30 and management meetings are held Books are ever-present in all aspects of representative. to go over workflow, outstanding quotes our life and as a specialised bookshop We traded as Executive School and plans for the day. we get to see a vast array of the most Supplies for a number of years during Our retail shop is run by Shop Man­ interesting books from those covering the which time we merged with Cypress ager, Joy Johnson, who has been with origins of mankind to space and the latest Distributors who supplied art material, the company in excess of twenty years. technology. paper and stationery to schools. She caters for all individuals either in the Any interesting stories about your store? In 2001 we were approached by Toni shop or orders received by telephone, Just before 9/11 we were asked to Dalling and her business partners at email , fax or the website. Our client quote on a range of munitions books The Caxton Bookshop. They wished to services is run by Char­maine Fleurs who by a legitimate client. We proceeded retire and we acquired their business. We handles all institutional quotes, orders to contact the American publisher for merged all our bookselling interests into and queries. pricing and availability. 9/11 occurred one company and operated as Caxton A large portion of my day is and we got a response back that our Books from that date. spent with key clients and publishers, query had been forwarded to the FBI for We are a specialised bookshop with negotiating orders and pricing. We are further investigation. We subsequently most of our business happening though always looking for ways to sell existing received the books and I can only assume the warehouse door as opposed to the shop products to new clients and new products we have dropped off the FBI’s radar. door. We supply a national client base of to existing clients. What characteristics do you think schools, colleges, universities, businesses We forge strong relationships with a person needs to be a successful and many government departments. those publishers who understand a bookstore owner? What has been the We strengthened our Library Services mutually beneficial relationship and I key to your success? Department some years ago and now ensure that they get our support across A person must be multi-skilled and a service most university, city and provin­ all sectors of the business. generalist as bookshops often do not have cial library services. The remaining time in the day the budget to have specialists in all jobs. It is demanding servicing all sectors is spent with staff and our freight I believe the key to Caxton Books of the book trade particularly over back forwarders ensuring our weekly air success has been our customer focus to school but the benefit is that there are freight imports run smoothly. and our ability to personalise our generally no quiet sales periods. How do you make your book selection? service to suit our broad range of clients. Do you host any events at the store at I do not do much book selection as I am Communication is the key, even when the moment or are you involved in any privileged to have a very experienced there is bad news. community projects? Library Sales Manager, Vic Lopich, and What’s been the biggest surprise about We do not host many events in our our Shop Manager, Joy Johnson who running a bookstore? retail shop. We continue to support look after selections. I will occasionally The loyalty displayed by clients with our schools with funding and supplies do a deal with a publisher on a specific many having a relationship with Caxton of books and stationery for under- range of books or series which we then Books over generations. privileged learners. promote to libraries and schools.

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Battle of the Books Creating a buzz around reading By Patsy Geach

The very first Battle of the Books was runners on the night and all the technical asked a question from their latest book. held nine years ago in the Bergvliet support, coffee and tea and photography The big audience draw card is our High School Library where I was the is in the hands of the capable staff and dynamic quizmaster John Maytham from Librarian at the time. World Book Day crew from Bergvliet. Thanks to them the Cape Talk who takes no nonsense from was looming and I was wondering how Battle has a home. the teenagers who seem to thrive on his we could celebrate it and share the love Schools are invited to enter a team of sarcasm and wit. He delights all with his of reading with the broader community. five of their best high school readers who performance in the Shakespeare category There were many passionate readers attend in school uniform and they then and his many interesting anecdotes. in my care and I wanted to give them pool their knowledge and work together The audience is not forgotten and and others like them, an opportunity to as a team. There are ten categories which they are asked questions in between represent their school and shine at what have ten questions each. There is no rounds and are rewarded with the choice they do best – read! individual pressure and a discussion of a book from the audience prize table. We started off with six local schools period is allowed after each question. Over forty audience prizes are awarded. attending in 2008 and it was met with such Schools are sent the categories The Battle was incredibly close again enthusiasm that for the past six battles we beforehand, one a week, and have to this year with two points separating the have had to move into the gym hall and decide which category they would like top three schools. Herschel was fifth, now have up to twenty schools attending to double their score in – before the Herzlia fourth, Westerford third, Bergvliet from all over the Southern Suburbs. quiz begins. There are five categories second and in first place by half a point – This sort of growth would not have that are staples: Childhood Memories, Rustenburg. been possible without the generous Shakespeare, Classics, Books into Movies It is a very rewarding experience to be sponsorship from Reader’s Warehouse. and Fantasy/Sci-fi. New additions this present in a hall full of book lovers ‘high The top five schools share R15 000 plus the year were: Locations in Literature, fiving’ each other over a correct answer individual team members receive Reader’s Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find and witnessing them interact with like- Warehouse vouchers. In addition, this Them in Literature and Opening Lines. minded learners and makes the months year there were beautiful book hampers The tenth category is a most exciting of preparation beforehand all worthwhile. for the top ten schools. No-one left empty one. We get five international authors Librarians meet each other for the first handed and every contestant went home to film a short video of themselves, then time and form a network to exchange with a goody bag filled with books, posters we play these clips on a big screen. In ideas and discuss problems. and bookmarks regardless of where their these videos, the author greets the Battle I trust that Reader’s Warehouse school placed. The winning school also contestants and asks them a question and Bergvliet High School continue took home a beautiful floating trophy about one of their books. The faces on to nurture a culture of reading and which they will have engraved. the contestants are a delight when they interaction amongst our book lovers. Bergvliet High School has continued realise that the author of a book that they to graciously host the Battle even though have read is talking directly to them. The Patsy Geach was a Librarian at Bergvliet High I am no longer the Librarian there. The authors at this year’s Battle were – James School, and is currently Battle of the Books “Battle Bergvliet Library crew help with the Dashner, Danielle Page, Holly Smale, Commander”. packing of the goody bags and serve as Lucy Saxon and Amy Zhang. They all

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Reading revolution The gift of words By Jenny Hobbs

If we can read, there are no boundaries to where we can travel in our minds. Being If we want to break down barriers between ourselves across able to read well is the basic skill our race, linguistic and cultural lines, we must promote reading. children need to get a good education Fiction forces you to live in other people’s worlds. It develops our and employment, the most valuable empathetic capacities ... it can and does help to build bridges. skill we’ll ever learn and a source of enjoyment for the rest of our lives. Reading will help us to humanise each other. In a time of violence, We could improve South African we must spread the word about the power of books to make South education in less than a decade by African life a little easier. These benefits require well-stocked reading to our children from the time libraries in every school and community, managed by librarians they are small. Familiarity with stories and books will mean that they’re eager to who are valued and paid due compensation for their vital role. learn more when they get to school. Eusebius McKaiser Here’s how: • Parents, gogos, grandpas and child minders: talk and sing to babies from It is my wish that the voice The key to a healthy society the time they are born, passing on the magic of words. of the storyteller will never is a thriving community of • Speak in your mother tongues. die in Africa, that all children storytellers. Stories are what Languages are easily picked up by in the world may experience really make us human. small kids and you will be giving them the wonder of books, and Franco Sacchi invaluable free skills. • As soon as they can sit on your lap, that they will never lose the read to them from books, magazines or capacity to enlarge their catalogues, letting them turn the pages – earthly dwelling place with Reading books at home is an however clumsily! – to discover what the magic of stories. excitements are on the next page. important part of the early • Urge them to talk, chat, tell their own Nelson Mandela development of children stories, and teach them songs and during which they confront in family traditions. Children who own a pleasurable activity those words make up stories while playing, A book can change your life. and talk confidently with friends human passions of love and and adults. You can read yourself out of hate, of ambition and desire, • Take them as young as you can to poverty. of change and hope. libraries to experience exciting, Annari van der Merwe Jonathan Jansen different books and choose some to bring home. Municipal and community libraries are free, and Note: The government • Link older children with the FunDza librarians are always ready to help. mandates weekly library lessons in Literacy Trust for daily reading on • Give children books as presents. schools which also receive library their cellphones. Ask at the library for the late, great allocations – but random unregulated • Readers should recommend books Chris van Wyk’s Ouma Ruby’s Secret, bookshelves are not enough. There they’ve enjoyed and circulate personal which tells the story of how his are organisations that will advise libraries in their communities. loving grandma bought him books about school libraries. For useful (Record who has borrowed which in second-hand shops, always asking information, see the downloadable book by taking a cellphone photo with him to choose and then read them out library booklet at http://www.flf.co.za/ them holding it.) loud to her. He only realised when he schools/ grew older that she couldn’t read. • Just watching parents read newspapers Great sites for South African • Enrol children as soon as possible and books is inspiring for children. children’s & young adult books in early learning centres to expose Keep books in your home and make • Biblionef – biblionefsa.org.za them to new skills and the first steps reading cool. • Bookdash – bookdash.org to reading. • All reading is good reading. Look • Children’s Book Network – • Fight harder and more fiercely for for comics, romances, action fiction, www.childrensbook.co.za schools that actively promote reading nature and how-to books at book sales • Fundza – www.fundza.co.za and a culture of independent learning. and on street stalls. • Nal’ibali – nalibali.org

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South African solutions Showcased abroad

Brian Wafawarowa, Executive Director Mexico’s represnetative Rodrigo apps that complement Horouf’s Arabic Learning Services at Pearson Education Cosío Guerra, Communications & language learning materials through and also member of the IPA Executive Marketing Manager at UNOi explained personalized content and gamification. Committee, recently presented ‘Test & how his company offers an educational IPA Secretary General José Improve’, a South African system for transformation model for schools in Borghino said: “The SCCR is where monitoring pupil performance that also Mexico and wider Latin America. diplomats debate a range of issues makes didactic recommendations, to the that could directly impact publishing. World Intellectual Property Organization “Pearson Education’s Test & Copyright limitations and exceptions (WIPO) in Geneva. for educational and research institutions Brian was one of four educational Improve programme specifically are among the most contentious SCCR publishers to present their home-grown improves Mathematics and agenda points, so it is very important innovations to the delegates, who were Physical Sciences results. It to us that the delegates are mindful of attending the 34th sitting of the Standing publishers’ frontline contribution to Committee on Copyright and Related is a diagnostic assessment pupils’ educational performance as they Rights (SCCR), in Geneva. Invited by programme that reveals make the decisions that will define a legal the International Publishers Association learners’ development areas instrument resulting from the SCCR.” (IPA), the Federation of European Pub­ The publishers, who are all IPA lishers (FEP) and Bertelsmann, the four to improve results.” members through their own national publishers from Brazil, Mexico, South publishers associations, delivered Africa and the United Arab Emirates Malak Obeid, Manager and Editor, five-minute presentations before were asked to showcase how copyright Horouf from the United Arab Emirates demonstrating their technologies in an has enabled them to invest in the digital introduced ‘Horouf’ and ‘Qartoos’, two up-close ‘show and tell’ setting. technology that is shaping the future of school-age learning. Pearson Education’s Test & Improve programme specifically improves Mathematics and Physical Sciences results. It is a diagnostic assessment programme that reveals learners’ development areas to improve results. Learners’ curriculum knowledge is tested to identify the sub-skills that require DIGITAL E-LENDING LIBRARY SERVICES interventions in order to improve results. Tests are CAPS and IEB-aligned and based on the Grade 12 exams. Represented by Tests can be used for Grade 8 testing to use as a baseline diagnostic, Grade 9 testing to inform subject choices, Grade 10 and 11 testing to ensure a firm knowledge and skills base for Grade 12, Grade 12 testing to identify development areas that AUTHORISED RESELLER IN SOUTH AFRICA can still be addressed in the time remain­ ing in Grade 12 to impact positively on final results Brian also showcased ‘Eneza’, an inter­ [email protected] active Kenyan-built platform that tracks learning while enabling peer interaction and personalized tutorial guidance. 011 325 2266 Cayube Dias Galas, Foreign Lang­ uages Editorial Manager at FTD Editora from Brazil presented ‘Faça’, a series of www.overdrive.com re­sources for Brazilian primary students and teachers that is changing the way the school community perceives and relates to educational materials.

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Not just another study guide No one-size-fits-all when it comes to learning styles

that may mean that a child gets a decent mark in the exams because they are able to regurgitate facts, it also means that the child may not absorb the information long-term. It may also mean that the child starts to hate learning, feels enormous pressure and stress, and thinks that the reason they’re not doing well is because there’s something wrong with them.

Matric is a five-year course The creators of Ace it! also know that Matric really starts in Grade 8 (if not earlier). That’s why they haven’t just developed selected subjects at FET level. The Ace it! range is comprehensive and covers most subjects from Grade 8 to 12. The South African curriculum is designed to be scaffolded curriculum. This means that year-on-year, we build on learners’ prior knowledge. The idea is that to simply teach without starting with the basics will result in poor mastery of skills and knowledge. 123RF Many study guides focus on Grades When a learner is struggling to cope are that kid won’t do so well. In order 10–11 because they believe that these with everything they need to know for to really succeed, our auditory learner are the most important school years. their exams, our first response is to should really be sitting in their room, The creators of Ace it! believe that by the give them more to study. We tell them listening to music and reciting facts and time a learner reaches Grade 10, it may that ‘practice makes perfect’ and that concepts aloud. Just by making small already be too late. Ace it! is designed to they need to study longer and harder. changes like this, learners who haven’t be a learner’s companion from the day Parents send them to extra lessons. We been doing so well at school are closer to they walk through the gates of their high recommend textbooks, study guides, achieving exam success. school for the first time. Learners who practice workbooks, flashcards and more. start to understand their learning style We think that the only reason a kid isn’t “Ace it! study guides from Grade 8, and are therefore able to doing well in their exams is because they study and revise effectively, have a much aren’t studying hard enough. highlight the three main better chance of success in Matric. What if there’s a much simpler sol­ learning styles: visual, ution, one that doesn’t imply that a kid auditory and kinaesthetic. The most up-to-date study guides is simply lazy but rather recognises that on the market every­one learns differently? The truth is By knowing their individual The Ace it! study guides were developed that every one of us has a unique learning learning style, learners are this year, making them the most up- style. At school, we’re told to sit quietly empowered to be creative to-date study guides currently on the and listen to the teacher but this learn­ market. The creators of Ace it! have ing style only benefits a small portion of and to adapt their study been in the textbook industry for many the class. methods accordingly.” years, and they understand what works Ace it! study guides highlight the and what doesn’t when it comes to three main learning styles: visual, Of course, this is a fundamental shift covering the curriculum. They’ve also auditory and kinaesthetic. By knowing in how we, as adults, think about studying. had a number of years to study the their individual learning style, learners For many parents, the idea of allowing examinations and tests. This means that are empowered to be creative and to their children to listen to music or to have Ace it! is the most relevant for school- adapt their study methods accordingly. the TV on quietly in the background based and national examination revision Imagine a kid who is an auditory learner during study time is ludicrous. They’ll for both the CAPS and the IEB curricula. trying to work through reams and reams say: “In my day, we had to sit quietly at a So does the market really need of text quietly in a library… chances desk and just get on with it.” And while another study guide? Yes, it needs Ace it!

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Increasing capacity and empowering youth With the NLSA Issued by the National Library of South Africa

The NLSA through the Mzansi Libraries knowledge who can educate the com­ training in Business Etiquette, Customer On-Line Project have partnered with munities on much needed digital skills, Services, Building Self-esteem and Business Connexion (BCX) to recruit we are putting them in a position to Assertiveness Skills, Time Management, and develop skills among school leaving imme­diately pay it forward.” Communications Strategies, MS Office and unemployed youth in the career This collaboration between NLSA, 2013 and Train-the-Trainer skills. field of ICT Librarian. The objective is to BCX and Lulaway Holdings will go a put them through a graduate internship long way in contributing to the skills programme to train and deploy them development initiatives of the National When asked to reflect on the value of for ICT technical support capacity at Development Agenda (NDP 2030) and the training on their internship at the community libraries. increasing capacity at libraries which are MLO pilot libraries countrywide, the This partnership will assist the confronted with the challenge of aligning students responded positively: libraries in maximizing the potential of and addressing the developmental needs “…one that stood out most for new access to information services and of communities. me is Communications Strategies. technologies offered through the Mzansi The objective of the training is to: Communication is one of those things Libraries On-Line Project. • Provide skills development for young that most of us take for granted but Professor Rocky Ralebipi-Simela, the people with a specific focus on the it is probably the most important. I National Librarian and CEO of the NLSA development agenda of the country. have learned how to build positive said, “This programme, which we are • Communicate the new role of libraries relationships; how to be a skilled proud to host, will see valuable contribu­ in empowering communities. communicator and how to get people tion to skills development among youth. • Enhance technological services at public to open up and willingly share more Increasing ICT support in community libraries to address community issues. information; how to overcome my libraries will go a long way in ensuring that (communication) fears; how to handle communities have access to information.” “This collaboration between NLSA, BCX communication barriers; the right and A total of 65 unemployed youth and Lulaway Holdings is a contribution wrong questions to ask; active listening across the country have been recruited towards a shared vision regarding the skills, which was very interesting; how to be trained as Information Communi­ role of public libraries in community to read body language and so much cations Technology (ICT) Librarians development, especially among the more...” – Thenjiwe Mukwevho. and will undergo an eight week training youth,” concluded Prof Ralebipi-Simela. “Reflecting on the [training], I pro­gramme. The training programme believe that such knowledge has to commenced on 13 March 2017 at the Progress with the Internship be shared. Telkom Learning Centre in Olifantsfon­ Programme Therefore I will practically share it by: tein and is facilitated by Microsoft SA/ • Owing to the prospects of success • Ensuring that I give a good impres­ Netcampus in collaboration with the with this initiative, negotiations are sion of myself and the company/ Mzansi Libraries On-Line Project. currently underway to extend the entity I represent to the people I As part of this internship programme, duration of the internship programme meet. the trainees have been exposed and from 18 to 24 months. The extension • Being more time-efficient and oriented with the job enhancement of the programme is intended to pro­ductive with the tasks I have for programme facilitated through yet add value by creating meaningful the day. another partnership with Lulaway employment for the successful interns. • Using the knowledge I have Holdings. This initiative will facilitate • The NLSA BCX Internship Pro­ learned to improve my self-esteem the establishment of job enhancement gramme has been partnered with and self-confidence. centers at the respective libraries. the Job En­­hance­­ment Programme • Being more efficient when “ICT skills play a crucial role in help­ by Lulaway Holdings. Through this providing customer service ing the youth create more opportunities partnership, participating librar­ internally or externally. for themselves in terms of employment ies will offer improved services to • Being more assertive when engag­ and entre­preneurship,” says Charlene allow unemployed users from the ing in discussions with people. Verzmoter, S2B Programme Manager at local community to register and seek • Being able share this knowledge Microsoft. “By empowering unemployed for jobs on-line using technology at with others who might be in youth with ICT skills and certifications the library. need of enlightenment and through the Student To Business Intern­ empowerment. ship programme, Microsoft and other On 18 and 25 March 2017, two training partners are able to provide these youths session were conducted for the interns. Thanking you for providing me this with employment. Moreover, by placing opportunity to be empowered in order them within community libraries, where Training provided to date to empower.” – Ntando Mabizela they will frequently act as custodians of To date the 65 trainees have received

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My Library, Your Library SA Library Week

The national launch of the South African Library Week 2017 was held by the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) at the Sunrise View Primary & Secondary Schools in Rustenburg, North West Province, on Friday 17th of March with the theme “My Library, Your Library“ and sub-themes: “My Library, My Home”, “Mind your Library” and “Tell me about your Library”. The theme, “My Library, Your library” takes libraries into the heart of the community and strives to awaken a sense of ownership in each community member. The theme encourages people to take libraries to heart and to treat these as their homes so that destroying libraries and burning books becomes unthinkable. The theme is a reminder to all library users that the library is a communal space that caters to specific needs whether these are educational, social, recreational or informative. “The event was successful and went according to plan. The venue was packed to capacity and participation of schools and community went well. The Deputy SA Library Week school kids with donated LIASA bags and tshirts. Minister of Arts & Culture, Mrs Rejoice Mabudafhasi, was the Keynote speaker. LIASA remains aligned with the South goals of eliminating poverty. Alongside Although one or two speakers did not Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) this, the social justice imperatives compel turn up, it did not impact negatively as 2030 that will shape communities­ through vigilance to ensure quality on all these the programme was done in the allocated among others skill development in a fronts for all citizens of this country. time,” reports LIASA. focus­ed attempt to reduce unemploy­ment By providing access to information, All 10 branches of LIASA also especially amongst the youth. Expansion of libraries support communities in their held individual celebrations of SALW the job market with know­ledgeable workers exploring and challenging of barriers, 2017. Some Branches have sent their and through entrepreneurship – driven by values, and behaviours as these relate to Programmes for SALW 2017 and this is innovation, the creation of new products social inclusion. Furthermore, libraries available on the LIASA Website. from the application of knowledge – will engage communities on matters of Newspaper Adverts were placed in underpin a booming economy and contri­ social importance. both National (Gauteng, KZN, WC) and bute to present day economic freedom. In 2017, the Library Association Local Community Newspapers (EC, FS, While the NDP/Vision 2030 sees celebrates its 20th anniversary and given NC, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, NW). Several education as a road to national economic its mission encompasses the development Radio and TV interviews were done by prosperity, the current outlook is gloomy. of South Africa through access to infor­ the President, Mr Mandla Ntombela; A report released in November 2016 mation, it is fitting that the South African the President-Elect, Ms Nikki Crowster; placed South African grade 7 science and public is invited to partner with LIASA to the Public Relations Officer, Ms Senovia mathematics competencies at the bottom make ‘My Library, Your Library’. Welman and LIASA Librarian of the Year of global rankings of 57 countries. 2016, Ms Ina Smith. Previous LIASA Libraries have positioned themselves For further information, Office bearers were also interviewed. in this space between aspiration and please contact: A Video Recording was done at the delivery providing support for education. Groenheuwel Public Library situated in It needs the community to recognize Ms Senovia Welman, LIASA National PRO Drakenstein, Paarl in the Western Cape this key advantage and to take up further 078 132 5965, [email protected] where one of the LIASA Representative the opportunities this brings. Further to Mr Mandla Ntombela, LIASA President Council members, Ms Mercia Sias is the education, health and economic upliftment 083 478 4626, [email protected] Senior Librarian. are elements contributing to the ultimate

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Franschhoek Literary Festival Far reaching effect on the local community

The first Franschhoek Literary Festival took place in 2007 with two main objectives, to bring together a broad cross-section of mostly South African writers and a few distinguished authors from overseas, aiming to present quality events that inspire and inform. And secondly to raise funds for local community and school libraries, for which the FLF Library Fund was established. The Festival runs from Friday to Sunday during the third weekend in May, preceded by the Book Week for Young Readers when book people meet children in Franschhoek before the festival begins. This year organisers had over fifty visitors confirmed and began with the pre-readers and early readers on Monday 15th and worked steadily through towards a programme for older readers on Thursday 18th. “Bridge House is one of the many schools in the Franschhoek Valley that engages in Book Week. We are privileged as a prep school to be exposed to a range Poetry writing for Grade 2 and Grade 5, during Book Week for Young Readers in Franschhoek. of authors, illustrators and storytellers. From Grade 000 to Grade 7, each class “Starting in 2012, the “The project employs a facilitator had the privilege of engaging with these and four part-time library assistants. The talented people,” said Kim Storey FLF Franschhoek Literary schools now largely manage their own Book Week co-ordinator for Bridge Festival Library Fund has libraries and library assistants, with the House Prep School. project playing an oversight role while “Our first guests all wrote Xhosa established, stocked providing ongoing financial support stories, four people told Xhosa stories to and helped to staff four towards salaries and book buying. We Grade 4, 5 and 6. Every one was laughing, work on a ratio of five fiction books per singing and repeating Xhosa words. I primary school libraries learner, and repair and replace books know that everyone in that room had lots in our community.” regularly to maintain a comprehensive of fun and we all hope to see them again,” collection of attractive, appealing age- said Jemima Phillips, who is in Grade 5 at appropriate books. Bridge House. eager readers visiting the library, not only Each class has one library lesson The authors took time to share their during their library lessons but during a week, and learners borrow books to personal stories with the learners at the breaks and after school as well. take home. Each week we interact with different schools “Starting in 2012, the Franschhoek 3 000 learners in 80 classes across the “Each wordsmith had different Literary Festival Library Fund has four schools. During library lessons the opinions on writing styles and books, but established, stocked and helped to staff foundation phase classes have story time in the end there was one thing they used four primary school libraries in our in both English and their mother tongue. to create such art work. Their poetry or community,” says Jenny Hobbs, former A team of volunteers help the library novels were woven together by a single festival director. assistants with this, and the learners love magic thread called imagination,” said “The children have become very it. In the older grades the learners are Hannah Robichon, Grade 7, of her Book responsible library users, learning the taught library and book selection skills to Week for Young Readers experience. concepts of borrowing, returning, sharing encourage leisure reading. The FLF Library fund is now in its and looking after books. Sometimes a Our purpose is to instil a love fifth year of operation, and the impact learner will only agree to part with a of reading in the children of the of the project on the reading habits of much-loved book in order to borrow Franschhoek Valley, and we are well on local learners is evident in the number of another one,” says the FLF. the way to achieving this.”

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The Executive Committee of the South African Booksellers’ Association would like to thank the following members for acknowledging their ongoing support by remitting their annual membership fees*:

E-mail address Contact E-mail address Contact Bookshop Street address Bookshop Street address & website numbers & website numbers

341 Dr Pixley kaSeme, West [email protected] 406 Imam Haron Rd, [email protected] Adams & Co 086 134 1341 Caxton Books 0861 229229 Str, Durban [email protected] Lansdowne [email protected] 33 Bertha Mkhize Victoria Str, 62 Queen Victoria Str, Adams & Griggs [email protected] 031 319 4400 Centre for the Book cbreceptionnlsa.ac.za 021 423 2669 Durban Cape Town 3 Westgate Centre, Jagger Str, addisstationers@webmail. Chatsworth University 232 Moorcross Drive, Addis Stationers 039 737 4577 [email protected] 031 404 6644 Matatiele co.za [email protected] Bookshop (CUB Books) Moorton, Chatsworth 043 721 0841 34 Beare Str, Kuruman, Status Centre, 18 Chamberlain mary@africanbookconnection. Chekkat Stationers [email protected] 053 712 3077 African Book Connection / 043 721 Northern Cape Rd, Berea, East London co.za 1781 Shop A8, Bellville Business Coalition [email protected] 021 949 8220 Unit 8 Engineering Close, Park, Voortrekker Rd, Bellville [email protected] Afro School Suppliers Engineering Close Rd, 011 708 6334 [email protected] Kya Sands Credo Books 21 Bapsfontein, Rietfontein [email protected] 011 398 8700 605 Church Str, Arcadia, Alicanie Book 10 Villa Montina, Mulbarton Denosa [email protected] 012 343 2315 [email protected] 011 465 5160 Preoria Distributors Rd, Beverly, Lonehill Bam Centre Shop 3, 22 Main diamondpridestore@gmail. Alusia Trading 14 Aubert Str, Qumbu [email protected] 047 553 0206 Diamond Pride Trading 073 2075 813 Str, Bizana com Office109 AA House, 2 Rink amazadevelopment@gmail. Amaza Development 041 585 0738 32 Errol Sprig Ave, Vulindlela [email protected] Str, Port Elizabeth com Dikha Booksellers 047 531 3627 Heights, Mthatha [email protected] Johannesburg City Centre: City Centre c/o Rissik & Commissioner Str 011 836 0124 Early Readers 10 Jukskei Ave, Gallo Manor earlyreaders@mweb.co.za 011 802 2513 Armstrong’s Books [email protected] Linden: 1st Floor, Pine Park Linden Eastern Cape School 37 First Ave, Norwood [email protected] 047 534 2799 Place, c/o 1st Ave & 6th Str 011 888 6732 Supplies Mthatha 35 Eagles Str, Apex Office National [email protected] 043 642 4511 Edu Lab and Unit 11 Woodford, 39 Becker [email protected] 011 026 7669 King Williams Town Technologies Str, Yeoville No 3 Imizi Court, c/o Audors Delivery & Emanzini Business 22 Commercial City, Queen Leeds & Craister Str, (opp) [email protected] 047 5311 116 [email protected] 031 305 7446 Supply Lines Str, Durban Metropolitan Place, Mthatha Emanzini Business 13 Prinsman Building, [email protected] 3 De Waal Park, 1 A Greenville 012 322 2992 Bargain Books [email protected] 021 706 1461 Lines 327 Schoeman Str, Pretoria [email protected] Rd, Diep River Highdale Rd Unit 25, Glen 031 569 2229 1368 Chris Hani Rd, Avoca, Everybody’s Books [email protected] Best Books [email protected] 031 569 3160 Park, Glen Anil, Durban /49 Durban [email protected] Lithotech House, Hampton Exclusive Books 31 Commerce Cres, [email protected] [email protected] 011 798 0000 Bidvest Paperplus Park, 20 Georgian Crescent, 011 706 6751 Head Office Kramerville, Johannesburg [email protected] [email protected] Bryanston 021 691 5107/ 023 344 Fab Book 47 Innisfree Rd, Crawford [email protected] Boland Skryfbehoeftes Hoogstraat 114, Worcester [email protected] 084 240 1768 3080 Faniza Business Unit 7 Nkwazi Park, Moffatt 59 Wallfern Close, Redfern, [email protected] 031 462 7778 Bongo Book Suppliers [email protected] 031 569 1105 Enterprise Drive, Ballito Business Park Phoenix Central Car Park, Murchison Book Express 8 Park Road, Richmond [email protected] 011 482 8433 Favourite Stationers [email protected] 034 315 4467 Str, Newcastle 71 Roeland Str, Zonnebloem, Book Lounge [email protected] 021 462 2425 Shop 20 Walmer Park, Main Cape Town Fogarty’s Bookshop [email protected] 041 368 1425 Rd, Walmer, Port Elizabeth 3 Lawrence Lane, Book Nook [email protected] 043 735 1671 1368 North Coast Rd, Avoca, Lawrence Ave, Bonnie Doon Fully Booked [email protected] 031 569 5901 Durban Shop 42 Kensington Square, Geodis Manhatten Rd, Airport [email protected]. Books & Books 53 Kensington Drive, Durban [email protected] 031 563 6288 021 386 0136 Industria, Cape Town com, www.roli.com North No 85, Hennopsrivier 489JQ, Unit 2, Elec Park, Teejay Rd, Hadeda Book Service [email protected] 012 659 0120 Books 24/7 [email protected] 021 981 1270 Distict Pretoria Brackenfell, Cape Town Hancri Best Bookshop 44 Nojoli Str, Somerset East [email protected] 042 243 2024 2 Cheviot Place, Bonnie Doon, 043 735 7138 Books Etc [email protected] East London 043 735 4138 Shop 7, The Wembley Hargraves Library Shopping Centre, c/o 366 Kent Rd, Ferndale, [email protected] 033 342 7474 Books Only [email protected] 011 326 0069 Service Commercial & Boom Str, Randburg Pietermaritzburg Hyde Square Lower Level, c/o Hargraves Library [email protected] Booktalk Jan Smuts Ave, 7 North Rd, [email protected] 011 325 2267 5 & 7 Speke Str, Observatory 021 447 5682 Service [email protected] Hyde Park idutywabookshop@webmail. Shop 10, Cascades Centre, Bookworld [email protected] 033 347 1361 Idutywa Bookshop 121 Richardson Rd, Dutywa co.za 047 489 1154 Pietermaritzburg [email protected] Bothma 220 Voortrekker Rd, 011 954 5273 [email protected] ulwazilwandile@vodamail. Boekhandelaars Monument, Krugersdorp 1739 Iqhayiya Bookshop 179 Will Str, Tsolo 083 259 9436 co.za [email protected] Breakthru Investments 9 Prestwich Ave, Mthatha 047 532 5444 Shop 9, AMCA Centre, mvelasemfingwana69@ [email protected] 039 253 1586 Irwing 623 Stationers Metropolitan Building, gmail.com 047 532 4888 Bright Future Marketing Lusikisiki [email protected] Unit 3 Vista Park, 111 Marshall brightfuturemarketing@ Publishers and 031 502 3287 Drive, Mount Edgecombe telkomsa.net F26 Main Str, Office No11 , Booksellers Isingqi Projects [email protected] 082 051 8536 Bizana Shop 24 Highland Mews BT Boeke [email protected] 013 692 4814 2323 DDT Jabavu Str, Centre, Klipfontein, Witbank Isisele Booksellers [email protected] 082 372 8871 Southridge Park, Mthatha Business Technology [email protected] 7 Tylden Str, Queenstown 045 839 2183 Shop 2, 228 Effingham Rd, Centre [email protected] J. R. Behari 031 563 8751 Redhill C N A Edgardale Edgardale Head Office, [email protected] 011 495 6798 Jacklin Enterprises 19 Mifa Park, 399 George Rd, mbezuidenhout@ (Head Office) 1 Press Ave, Crown Mines 011 265 4200 (Pty) Ltd Midrand jacklinenterprises.com

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Continued …

E-mail address Contact E-mail address Contact Bookshop Street address Bookshop Street address & website numbers & website numbers

403 Mzaza Building, Main Str, Regent Corporate 31 Amery Crescent, [email protected] Jaytee Stationers [email protected] 039 255 1809 041 583 6564 Mount Frere Administrators Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth [email protected] Shop No. 1, 270 Main Str Unit C1 Diep River Industrial Readers Warehouse thomas@readerswarehouse. Keletso Bookshop (Siza Hardware Building), [email protected] 039 737 3675 Park, 118 Princess Vlei Rd, 021 705 6812 (Head Office) co.za Mount Fletcher Diep River Kenart Stationers 6 Union Str, Empangeni [email protected] 035 772 1921 1st Floor, Metropole Plaza, SAPnet [email protected] 021 853 3564 98 Beach Rd, Strand L. J. Armstrong Royal Court, 42 11th Str, [email protected] 011 485 1337 Booksellers Orange Grove meyrlene.grant@ 15 Pomona Rd, Pomona, 076 574 0808 Sasfin PremierL ogistics imperialsasfin.com Kempton Park 011 573 9040 Langa Bookshop 82 Main Str, Flagstaff [email protected] 039 252 0181 www.sasfinlogistics.com [email protected] LAPA Uitgewers 380 Bosman Str, Pretoria 012 401 0700 F11 Silverberg Terrace, www.lapa.co.za Scholars Bookshop Steenberg Office Park, [email protected] 021 700 2578 Learn and Teach 33 Deodarlane, Lusikisiki [email protected] 039 253 1447 Silverwood Close, Westlake Siyancedana Copiers & Lemur Books [email protected] 011 907 2029 41 Leeds Rd, Mthatha [email protected] 047 532 4303 Stationers Luto Booksellers 98 Main Str, Kokstad [email protected] 039 727 5134 Warehouse Materex, Shop 2 GGR Centre, 224 Main Gate 5 Entrance GM Building, M. G. Redhi Booksellers [email protected] 032 945 1240 Sizwe Books [email protected] 041 379 2229 Rd, Tongaat C/o Cresswell & Kempston Rd, 015482 ask Sidwell, Port Elizabeth Maanege Bookshop Ga-Nchabeleng for 1211 Sky Information 488 Phoenix Parkway, [email protected] 011 468 2571 26 Mothibistad Shopping Suppliers Kyalami Estate Margo Tech Complex Mothibistad Eastern 053 773 1950 16A Frazzitta Business Park, [email protected] or 021 975 0959 Cape Snapplify c/o Langeberg & Batis Rd, [email protected] St. Francis College, Abbot Durbanville Marianhill Book Depot [email protected] 031 700 2824 Francis Rd, Marianhill Eco Stop Centre, Ground Floor, Matatiele Office South Cape Academic Block A, c/o Langenhoven & 114 High Str, Matatiele [email protected] 039 737 4310 [email protected] 044 874 7551 National Supplies Witfontein Rd, Heatherlands, George Medibooks 3 Wadley Rd, Umbilo, Durban [email protected] 031 205 5851 [email protected] or LCM Ludidi Building, Spectra Upfront 32 Bushell Str, Queenstown 045 838 1873 Million Pages [email protected] 047 534 2631 [email protected] 63 Madeira Str, Mthatha 53 Commercial Rd, Louis Mqetse Trading Surat Trading [email protected] 015 516 3981 [email protected] 047 535 0498 Trichardt Enterprise Tabankulu Bookshop 201 Intsizwa Str, Mt Ayliff [email protected] 039 254 0705 N&M Bookshop 150 Plantation Rd, Cofimvaba [email protected] 047 874 0012 Floor 7, Atlantic Centre, National Office Supplies 68 Victoria Str, Durban 031 306 2732 c/o Christian Barnard & Takealot online [email protected] 087 820 5000 Louis Gradner Rd, Foreshore, Nazipasi Stationers Plantation Rd, Cofimvaba [email protected] 047 874 0012 Cape Town [email protected] On the Dot Distribution Sacks Circle, Bellville 021 918 8500 6A Harold Crescent, Beacon [email protected] Tasiw Enterprises [email protected] 043 748 5467 Bay One Price Store 92 Long Str, Matatiele [email protected] 039 737 4587 20 Caspian Str, Westcliff Matatiele The Complete Bookshop [email protected] 031 401 3561 Chatsworth Paul Roos Grounds, Suidwal, Oom Polla se Winkel [email protected] 021 887 7149 16 Victoria Str, Oaklands, 011 615 9449/ Stellenbosch The Corner Bookshop [email protected] Johannesburg 083 556 7850 Padayachee Bros 83 King Chaka Str, Stanger [email protected] 032 551 1159 Uluntu Education & 22 Graham Rd, [email protected] 043 722 9185 Shop 4 Choice Plaza, Skills Southernwood, East London [email protected] Page First [email protected] 039 737 3998 28 Jagger Str, Matatiele Uluvolwami General Block B18 Comsec, Old [email protected] 043 722 4568 Paperback Shack 28A Oxford Str, East London [email protected] 043 742 0670 Trading Grahamstown Rd, Sydenham Pickwick Books [email protected] 041 581 2741 Umnotho Enterprises 67 Crompton Str, Pinetown [email protected] 031 701 5074 No.1 Winchester Mews, Shop no 3 NBS Centre, Pillow Books 23 Lena Ahrens Rd, [email protected] 031 202 5984 Umtapo Booksellers c/o Maxwell & Union Str, [email protected] 035 772 2572 Glenwood, Durban Empangeni 262 Voortrekker Rd, Shoprite No 39 Van Riebeeck Str, 045 932 2110 Pimp My Book [email protected] 021 911 5061 Uyonel Bookshop [email protected] Park, Parow Maclear 084 911 5574 Shop 6 L, Rosebank Mews, [email protected] 2nd Floor East Wing, Delphi [email protected] Play & Schoolroom 011 788 1304 Van Schaik Bookstore 021 918 8400 173 Oxford Rd, Rosebank [email protected] Arena, 1 Old Oak Rd, Tyger [email protected] Head Office /8408 Valley [email protected] Tilly’s Building, 40 Cloete Str, [email protected] President Bookshop 047 531 0319 Libode [email protected] 11th Floor, 40 Heerengracht, Via Afrika [email protected] 021 406 3528 Cape Town Prestige Bookseller & 65 Victoria Str, Durban 031 306 2733 Stationers Vivlia Publishers & 1 Amanda Ave, Lea Glen, [email protected] 011 472 3912 Booksellers Florida Pro Visions Books 37F Ordnance Rd, Durban [email protected] 031 337 2112 Vryheid Bookstore 184 Church Str, Vryheid [email protected] 034 982 2671 [email protected] Protea Boekwinkel 1067 Burnett Str, Menlo Park 012 362 5683 [email protected] New Carlton Hotel, Main Str, Vumani-sabela@vodamail. Vumani-Subela 039 255 1918 Mount Frere co.za R&L Booksellers and 1 Empire Rd, Shop 2A, 031 260 1450 [email protected] Stationers Richmond 083 314 0665 thandeka.singata@ Vuyani Bookshop 46 Kings Str, Butterwoth 047 491 3060 za.sabmiller.com Rainbow Academic Unit 12, Ivory Sun Office Park 032 537 6820 Bookshop & Stationers 1 Pinewood Rd, Ottawa, [email protected] Western Cape School 1C Coronation Court, 9 Van 032 537 7614 [email protected] 021 511 3459 cc Verulam Supplies Wyk Str, Maitland rainbow_booksellers@yahoo. Unit 13, Constantiaberg Rainbow Booksellers 340 Kings Rd, Dutywa 047 489 1205 pjrwilliams@wilstanbooks. com Wilstan Book Supplies Business Park, Princessvlei 021 706 7818 co.za Rd, Diep River 118 Steve Biko Rd, Berea, RC Booksellers [email protected] 031 201 8113 Durban Suite 6, 23 Rotherfield Rd, [email protected] Wordsworth Head Office 021 797 5664 Plumstead [email protected]

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of theS A Booksellers Association, contact: Samantha Faure, Tel: 021 697 1164, Email: [email protected], PO Box 870, Bellville, 7535

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Specialised book service Geodis are a global leader in non-asset based We are internationally recognised book logistics, with an extensive network of offi ces forwarding agents. Through our own network strategically located at gateways around the of over 240 offi ces, we are able to cater for all globe to meet our client’s business requirements. your needs, be it airfreight or seafreight.

Depot to Pre-alert download by Insurance door rates email before cargo moves on request

For more information, contact the following offi ces:

CAPE TOWN: Debi Dagnin, Charles Dagnin, Mary Lochner Tel: 021 386 0136 Fax: 021 386 0134 DURBAN: Iqbal Samad Tel: 031 337 8567 Fax: 031 332 1588 JOHANNESBURG: Jan Ludolph, Nicolene Bezuidenhout Tel: 011 396 1830 Fax: 011 396 1925