By Thabo Motlhabi
Unisa Libraries in partnership with Mogale City Libraries and Information Services, recently organised World Book Talk and Copyright Day event.
The aim of the event was to create a platform for black writers both well established and emerging authors to work together.
This annual initiative by Unisa Libraries in collaboration with various municipalities around the country ensures that bookworms and emerging authors across West Rand keep reading.
The campaign took place at Kagiso 2 Library, last week.
And through this campaign, black writers in the creative industry were encouraged to write in their mother tongue to sustain the black market.
Writing in your mother tongue helps writers to express themselves so very well as they know better about their culture, heritage, and history. As well as their religion, and traditions.
Another vital point is to emulate their past heroes and sheroes who were the first to write in the indigenous language. In this way, this would attract foreign people to want to know more about indigenous people and their history.
This initiative continues to carry out the legacy of outstanding and was regarded as a Father of modern literature Dr. Chinua Achebe, who encouraged black child to write in his mother tongue.
Dr. Nthabiseng Raduvha assistant manager at Mogale City Libraries and Information Services said, they needed to work together to preserve their local history, culture, heritage and traditions through literature.
They encouraged emerging authors to form book clubs within their communities to share ideas, information and how to apply for funding.
This would encourage school learners to participate in the reading and writing competition.
While manager for Unisa Libraries Victor Mbuqe said:
“The purpose was to give Unisa students access to use library services via municipal libraries. We have partnered withy Mogale City from 2016, and the partnership will continue as long as both parties are still satisfied’’.
Unisa Libraries donated books to Kagiso library.
