|
S.A LITERARY AWARDS LAUNCH “THE MIRIAM TLALI READING AND BOOK CLUB”
The Mirian Tlali Reading and Book Club, a legacy programme of the South African Literary Awards, is to be launched on Saturday, 20th June 2009, 14H00-16H00, Xarra Books, Newtown, Johannesburg. The programme, which will also include a discussion of the novel, Amandla, by Miriam Tlali is themed “The Meaning of Amandla: Miriam Tlali and the Burden of History". The discussants will be Miriam Tlali, Dr. Lynette Hlongwane and Zukiswa Wanner, and the facilitator will be Dr. Nokuthula Mazibuko.
“The programme, in honour of Miriam Tlali, aims to celebrate and honour the life, times and the contribution of this prolific woman who has written extensively and has made history by being the first South African black woman to publish a novel in English”, said Raks Seakhoa, the SALA Project Director and Managing Director of the wRite associates, the pioneer and founder of this programme and the South African Literary Awards.
The Club will invite writers, readers and the general public to discuss books, literary topical issues and take part in other interactive platforms to promote the culture of writing and reading. The Club will also host literary talks, workshops and support book launches.This programme is set to excite academics, bookworms and light readers. The Club will cater for published and unpublished men and women, young and old, who wish to join the effort to enhance South Africas’ literary state, reading and writing culture. A particular focus will be given to the youth and women, concluded Seakhoa.
Miriam Masoli Tlali is a scholar, novelist, short-story writer and struggle activist. She has written many novels and short stories, including debut novel, Muriel At the Metropolitan (originally Between Two Worlds), Amandla, Footprints in the Quag, and, Mihloti, and a collection of short stories and essays. Miriam has also written a play, Crimen Injuria. She has received many awards internationally and domestically, including the South African Lifetime Achievement Literary Award in 2005 and the South African National Orders’ Presidential Award, Ikhamanga: Silver in 2008.
Tlali has eloquently spoken and written on numerous difficulties facing black women writers in South Africa. Her own life has been a determined struggle to fulfill what she sees as her role as a writer: “to conscientise the masses…”
The Miriam Tlali Reading and Book Club will meet every third Saturday of the month at 14H00 – 16H00. Other activities will take place at different days and times in line with the particular programme embarked on. Xarra is a proud hosting partner of this historical programme.
The next programme will focus on the Lost Colours of the Chameleon, by Mandla Langa a prominent writer, scholar and activist. The Lost Colours of the Chameleon won the 2009 Commonwealth Africa Region Prize.
Date : 25 July 2009 Time : 14H00 – 16H00 Venue : Xarra, 1 Place, Newtown |
