OPINION
“All national, provincial and local libraries will be encouraged to put up exhibitions so that readers, especially the youth, are encouraged to take an interest in reading in indigenous languages.”
and writing needs to be estab-
the Mzansi Golden Economy
lished and that the book indus-
funding.
try needs to be both sustainable
indigenous languages. All national, provincial and local libraries will be encouraged
There is further support for
and support all South African
national writers’ organisations
to put up exhibitions so that
languages.
and a partnership through the
readers, especially the youth,
National Library with the Library
are encouraged to take an
and Information Association of
interest in reading in indigenous
South Africa.
languages. During these exhibi-
Publishing opportunities Through its close work with the
The department also supports
tions, writers of indigenous lan-
South African Book Develop-
activities of book clubs, through
guage books will be invited to
ment Council (SABDC), the
the Funda Mzantsi initiative with
address readers and share their
representative body of the book
the National Library.
perspective on reading and writ-
sector, the department has
It also supports discussions on
ing in indigenous languages. The exhibitions are geared to
initiated a variety of strategic in-
books including at book fairs
terventions to create publishing
and book festivals, namely the
stimulate writers and publishers
opportunities for aspiring writers,
Abantu Book Festival (Soweto),
to offer new literature in indig-
encourage a culture of reading
Open Book Fair (Cape Town),
enous languages.
and recognise excellence in
SA Children’s Book Fair (East
literature.
London) and Time of the Writer
lined up for this month will,
(Durban), among others.
among others, promote the
Some of these include the establishment of National Book
A pilot incubator to promote
We hope that the activities
culture of reading and writing
Week, which coincides every
reading and writing, and
amongst South Africans, while
year with International Literacy
reading programmes at nine
celebrating and recognising the
Day on 8 September and the
community arts centres is also
writers of our literary classics.
annual South African Literary
supported.
Awards. Support is provided for national literary events through
22
Heritage Month will focus the spotlight on literature written and published in South African
*Vusumusi Mkhize is the Director-General at the Department of Arts and Culture.
Public Sector Manager • September 2019
