Shocking: only 14% of South Africans read.
THE much celebrated literary work Ityala Lamawele (The Lawsuit of the Twins) by Eastern Cape author SEK Mqhayi is celebrating 100 years this year.
The fictional work by the former teacher and poet is an exploration of pre-colonial Xhosa law told through the eyes of twins Wele and Babini, who have to decide which of the two is first in line for the throne after their father, the king, dies.
The book was published in 1914 and went on to be adapted for a highly popular television series and numerous stage plays.
The book formed part of National Book Week celebrations from last Monday until yesterday, with the provincial event convened at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg.
The two-day activities were marked by book discussions, storytelling sessions, spelling bees, lectures on copyright and intellectual property, and poetry sessions.
National Book Week is a collaboration between organisers Libraries South Africa, Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), the Steve Biko Foundation and the departments of sport, recreation, arts and culture and correctional services.
“National Book Week was decentralised this year, so instead of having one celebration we had provincial celebrations in our various provinces which took place throughout the week,” PanSALB chief language practitioner Lukhanyo Sigonyela said.
“We invited schools to take part and so far 32 schools from across the province came to take part in the activities. We are also taking this opportunity to celebrate 100 years of Ityala Lamawele, a book which has not only been a major influence in Xhosa literature but has gone a long way to shape it as well.
“Books like these need to be celebrated on their own and in doing so we will go a long way to encourage others not only to read but to write as well.”
According to Sigonyela, a major drawcard for the event was a critical analysis of the book by University of Fort Hare professors, with a focus on other well-known Xhosa books such as AC Jordan’s Ingqumbo Yeminyanya (The Wrath of the Ancestors).
Lubabalo Dzedze, library and information services manager at the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, said people needed to become more comfortable with books.
“Statistics reveal that only 14% of South Africans read, which is really shocking. We want to up those statistics by starting an aggressive campaign to show people that books are not the enemy. On the contrary, books are good social partners; they are reliable and they are always there,” Dzedze said.
Grade 11 Forbes Grant High School pupil Siyabonga Matiwana said the book discussions had taught him a lot about Xhosa culture and its relevance in modern society.
“I learned some very important things here that I can use later in life,” he said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
Celebrated Xhosa story turns 100
THE much celebrated literary work Ityala Lamawele (The Lawsuit of the Twins) by Eastern Cape author SEK Mqhayi is celebrating 100 years this year.
The fictional work by the former teacher and poet is an exploration of pre-colonial Xhosa law told through the eyes of twins Wele and Babini, who have to decide which of the two is first in line for the throne after their father, the king, dies.
The book was published in 1914 and went on to be adapted for a highly popular television series and numerous stage plays.
The book formed part of National Book Week celebrations from last Monday until yesterday, with the provincial event convened at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg.
The two-day activities were marked by book discussions, storytelling sessions, spelling bees, lectures on copyright and intellectual property, and poetry sessions.
National Book Week is a collaboration between organisers Libraries South Africa, Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), the Steve Biko Foundation and the departments of sport, recreation, arts and culture and correctional services.
“National Book Week was decentralised this year, so instead of having one celebration we had provincial celebrations in our various provinces which took place throughout the week,” PanSALB chief language practitioner Lukhanyo Sigonyela said.
“We invited schools to take part and so far 32 schools from across the province came to take part in the activities. We are also taking this opportunity to celebrate 100 years of Ityala Lamawele, a book which has not only been a major influence in Xhosa literature but has gone a long way to shape it as well.
“Books like these need to be celebrated on their own and in doing so we will go a long way to encourage others not only to read but to write as well.”
According to Sigonyela, a major drawcard for the event was a critical analysis of the book by University of Fort Hare professors, with a focus on other well-known Xhosa books such as AC Jordan’s Ingqumbo Yeminyanya (The Wrath of the Ancestors).
Lubabalo Dzedze, library and information services manager at the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, said people needed to become more comfortable with books.
“Statistics reveal that only 14% of South Africans read, which is really shocking. We want to up those statistics by starting an aggressive campaign to show people that books are not the enemy. On the contrary, books are good social partners; they are reliable and they are always there,” Dzedze said.
Grade 11 Forbes Grant High School pupil Siyabonga Matiwana said the book discussions had taught him a lot about Xhosa culture and its relevance in modern society.
“I learned some very important things here that I can use later in life,” he said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos