Editor's Note
Ke Dezemba boss!
Welcome to the final Africa’s Lit for 2018!
2018 was quite a smashing literary year. Instead of our usual one-on-one #litrockstar video feature, we’ve done a mashup of some profound things some of the writers we hung out with said in our interviews this year.
The holiday season is peak season at Exclusive Books! Through a partnership with PowerFM, we’ve been having spirited conversations with Iman Rappetti on literacy and encouraging the culture of buying books as gifts; more in #thisislit.
Our #bookevangelist is one of this country’s busiest literacy campaigners, Madoda Ndlakuse - he talked to us about the exciting initiatives he was involved in this year and let us in on some of his dreams about a reading Africa!
What would the holidays be without food? We thought you would like another chance to check out some of our favourite recipes from local cook books on our blog in #linklove.
We are hoping your home libraries are growing, why not add some of our 2018 favourites as listed in #unstealable.
Yours in lit!
Exclusive Books Marketing in collaboration with Kajeno Media
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#litrockstar
Watch our #litrockstar mashup of some profound words from our interviews during the year.
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#bookevangelist: Madoda Ndlakuse - Nal'ibali Literacy Development Activist, Author and Founder: Eastern Cape Book Festival
Q1: What led you to such an unconventional career as a literacy campaigner?
A – I did not choose to be in the literacy space but the love of words and reading are the things that led me into this career. Having literacy role models like Xolisa Guzula, Malusi Ntoyapi, Mihlali Khumalo, Dr Carole Bloch, Cebo Solombela and many others was a catalyst in making me realize the great need for literacy development activism especially in many places in my home province of the Eastern Cape. Because of illiteracy, parents do not even know how to assist their children with their homework, it's heartbreaking. My interest in this career deepened as I repeatedly went to township schools with no school libraries or even modest reading corners. I joined Nal'ibali in 2016 and my world opened up through participating in literary events like Puku Story Festival, Nozincwadi Storytelling Fest, VW Literacy Conference, Mandela Bay Book Fair, National Book Week and a host of others. Those experiences and more cemented my love for literacy and most importantly I saw myself as part of a magical thing: being a part of story-powered inclusive environments where adults collaborate with children - it's a mutually educational phenomenon!
Q2: What have been the highlights of your work this year?
A – I did so many storytelling trips with my mentor, Sis Nompucuko Zakaza; she is a passionate storyteller who has a way with children! Most communities are thirsty for knowledge and they also appreciate platforms where we listen to what they have to say: be it through story chain, word play or the telling of stories through dance and music. I remember once at a Story Bosso event at KwaMlungisi in Stutterheim: the hall was so full of eager children we had to have another storytelling session under a tree! There was such great energy, passion and nothing beats how storytelling unlocks the little ones' imaginations.
I also contributed towards the book "This Is How It Is", a healing through storytelling initiative by the Life Righting Collective.
Q3: Any tips on how families can nurture a culture of reading during the holidays?
A – Families must invest in books, especially those written in mother tongue languages so that children can MASTER their own languages first before transitioning to first additional languages. Holiday season should be a time for stories; in the form of books and also orally. A great way to explore oral storytelling is getting together to archive family trees. These sessions should be intentional and aimed at promoting reading, writing, researching, critical reading and thinking. Never must we ever underestimate the power of having positive conversations amongst family members.
Q4: One word to describe the state of illiteracy as we speak?
A – Fading
Q5: What would that thing be that would make you feel like your job is done... like... ja sisebenzile?
A – To see each family having loads of books in form of storybooks, novels, picture books, audio books and obviously more stationery to provide writing opportunities. I'd like to see more and more African children reading for pleasure and watching less TV. I'd love to see families viewing reading as a staple, their daily bread. We live in hope.
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#linklove - Africa links that caught our eye
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#unstealable: curated by us
un - STEAL - a - ble
noun.
Books of Africa that you need to own and must never lend out.
We help you build your African literature home library, starting with these classics. This issue features picks curated by us.
We recommend these books:
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#thisislit: Exclusive Books and PowerFM Festive Reads Campaign
Iman Rappetti talks to various authors featured in our catalogue. We've linked the first four podcasts for you here, listen to Iman's show on PowerFM on Wednesdays from 11AM for more!
Iman launches festive books campaign focusing on African literature: click here to listen
Iman talks literature with Bonang Mohale: click here to listen
Catch up on your reading this December with these must-reads: click here to listen
Power Books: Festive Season Feasts: click here to listen
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The EB App is here, download it now!
 
Exclusive Books is delighted to introduce our new app, which we’ve purpose-built for book lovers: it brings you the latest book news, information about our upcoming events – and, best of all, regular special offers for your next visit to Exclusive Books.
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