Youth rising at the Jozi Book Fair

© HONGQI ZHANG – 123RF.com

The eighth edition of the JBF, which is co-hosted by Khanya College and Wits University, this year offers more than 150 activities including talks and readings by authors, roundtable discussions on pertinent socio-political and cultural issues, poetry and creative writing workshops, theatre, films and live jazz. With more than 40 exhibitors, look out for small and independent publishers that deliver locally relevant books in all South African languages.

Entry is free and open to all.

Themed Youth Rising, the Fair showcases the exceptional talent of South Africa’s youth in all art forms alongside veterans of various literary genres, such as Zakes Mda (author), Ronnie Govender (playwright), Keorapetse Kgositsile (national poet laureate), Kurt Ellis (author), Kemang Wa Lehulere (Deutsche Bank Artist for 2017), James Matthews (poet), Joan Rankin (illustrator) and award-winning young artist, Mohale Mashigo (a.k.a Black Porcelain and author of The Yearning).

Professor Adam Habib, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal says the Fair is one of the key events that advances Wits’ mandate.

“There are many book fairs in society but most are attended by the elite of society. The Jozi Book Fair, with its grassroots links, ensures that working class people are also given the privilege of access to books, access to literature and of being party to debates. Wits as an institution, crosses class and colour divides and serves as a bridge and a platform in society to bring together different stakeholders to form a common humanity. This partnership is one step towards that common humanity project that Wits is committed to.”

Fair highlights

The highlights of/for the youth participation include:

• Book launches – this includes Batjha Kaofela: Youth Rising - 10 teen authors from different township schools launch their short stories in English.
  
• The Orphans of Qumbo, set in the Karoo, with the cast of JBF’s inner city youth, and young musicians from the Moses Taiwa Molelekwa Art Foundation. The Orphans is based on Michael Williams’ The Secret Song and directed by Itumeleng wa Lehulere)
  
• Poetry – readings by 20 poets, book launches, poetry meets art and workshops with Diana Ferrus and live performances.
  
• #Pass on the Word – a series of publications for youth to commemorate Soweto 1976, with author/activists whose work is largely out of print. Cry Rage by James Matthews, The Thunsil (Mischief-maker) by Ronnie Govender and The Young are no longer young by Keorapetse Kgositsile. Book Launch and Live Performances.
  
• Panel: History, Influences, challenges and opportunities for YOUTH RISING in Jazz with Kgositsile and Fitzroy Ngcukana and Tumi Mogorosi.
  
• Theatre productions by youth – The Creature about street kids in Johannesburg (directed by Feeya Asmal), Shiwelele (directed by Palesa Oliphant) about #Feesmustfall, Clutter (directed by Searatoa van Driel) and Tembisa Musical.
  
• Live Jazz Sessions include: Tumi Mogorosi, Bokani Dyer Trio, Babes Ndamase Quartet, Yonela Mnana, MomentozSA, from Central Johannesburg College and South Western Music School.
  
• Film screening of Action Kommandant, (director, Nadine Cloete) about the killing of Umkhonto we Sizwe guerrilla Ashley Kriel in Cape Town and Book Launch, Wankie 1967, with Nicky van Driel and Oupa Lehulere.
  
• Roundtables: #Feesmustfall and the Future of the Student Movement with student activists and Decolonisation, Art and Artists with Zakes Mda and Guests.
  
• Workshops - over 20 skills empowerment workshops for youth related to ‘the word’, on Social media, Poetry, How to Blog, Publish your ebook, Photograpy with your cellphone, Philosophy for youth and Meditation for youth.

The Fair is also a platform for intergenerational engagement to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soweto Youth Uprising, and connect to youth today. This includes:

• A roundtable discussion on conditions of youth in South Africa, with Statistician General, Phali Lehohla, Kemang wa Lehulere and Mashigo.
  
• An encounter on the meaning of Soweto 1976 with school youth and Kgositsile, Mda and others (1-2 September);
  
• Conversation on the influence of Soweto 1976 on literature, art and liberation – with Mandla Langa, Wally Serote, James Matthews and others (4 September)

For more information or to View the full programme, visit: www.jozibookfair.org.za.