Youth Celebrating Books June 2010

As part of the Youth Month, the Centre of the Book, Cape Town invited two young authors Dr. Kopano Matlwa and Thembelani Ngenelwa to celebrate books this past Saturday.

A table of welcome snacks and drinks was layed out for attendees. Each seat had a goodie bag for those in attendance, including a South African flag,and the Baobab literary journal.

The MC of the event was Siphiwo Mahala of the Department of Arts and Culture.
Nelly Lunika, the Coordinator for Community Publishing, gave an entertaining welcome speech which broke the ice along with a few laughs.

The session was interactive with the authors fielding questions from the MC and the crowd, an intimate group of around 40 people.
I was astounded by the youthfulness of Kopano and her beauty!!! She has managed to qualify as a medical doctor as well as writing two succesful books: Coconut and Spilt Milk.
She is the 2010 Winner of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa .
Kopano Matlwa is published by Jacana Media.
Keep your eyes for the review of Spilt Milk by Fezekile Futhwa on the Afrikan Poets and Writers discussion board.

Thembelani Ngenelwa had a near death experience after being shot 5 times in Johannesburg. He has survived and lived to write the tale. His first novel is called The day I died, and it has been translated into the Xhosa language so that his mother could be able to read her son's work.
I bought myself this copy and will chalenge myself in reading the whole book in Xhosa, ndagqibela esikolweni nesiXhosa. Its called Ukuvuka kwam ekufeni.

Thembelani Ngenelwa is published by Kwela books.

A youth group perfomed poetry and dance to the sound of drums. And two poets recited their pieces for the group, including Amanda Nodada who read poetry from her book.

The closing words were by Mandla Matyumza, Executive Head of the Centre of the Book.

The event was rounded off with a book signing session before we had our lunch.
I felt very inspired by those who are taking the issue of literacy and tackling it head on. I hope these initiatives can be well known to all citizens and we can be on our way of eliminating illiteracy in South Africa.

V S Yonke