ODIA OFEIMUN's LATEST LITERARY OFFERING

One of Nigeria’s most vocal writers, Odia Ofeimun, has released a new book on the country’s search for functional nationhood.

Titled This Conference Must be Different, the book was presented in Lagos on Sunday, March 16, a day before the commencement of the national conference on which the embattled ‘Giant of Africa’ now leans its hope.

March 16 is the birthday of the 64-year-old poet, a day on which he has, since four years ago been holding book launches, staging dance dramas while also organising seminars.

At the presentation held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, veteran scholar and writer, – saluted Ofeimun for what he describes as his unflinching belief in the Nigerian project.

According to him, Ofeimun’s commitment to the unity and envisaged liberation of Nigeria is as strong as his commitment to personal friendships.

While other writers and culture promoters such as Kunle Ajibade, Jahman Anikulapo, Chike Ofili and Maxim Uzoatu were present, Ofeimun’s  relatives and childhood friends also rallied round him.

In his usually winding remarks, the host noted that he believes that Nigeria is born to be great and that no matter what moves some people might be making the country would not break up.

He expressed belief in the national conference as, he argued, it provides another opportunity for the nation to talk to itself and chart a course for true development.

Based on the portions read from the book and the debate it sparked at the inauguration, ‘This Conference Must be Different’ sounds like a book that all members of the conference and anyone keenly interested in the Nigerian project must have – and read.

* Courtesy of THE PUNCH

TIISETSO M. THIBA ON THE NORTHERN CAPE WRITERS' FESTIVAL

Report by Tiisetso Thiba

The Department of Sports Arts and Culture in Northern Cape hosted a three days of 5^th Annual Writers Festival in the heart of its capital city Kimberley, just in front of the Kimberley Public library. It was an event to reminisce and has features poets, writers and authors from various spheres of South Africa.

The festival kick started on the 6^th to 8^th of March 2014.  On the first day of the Writers fest writers/poets and authors from different provinces of South Africa were invited to share the words of wisdom, love, and encouragement on the stage and activities included in the festival programme such as School visits, Round table discussions.

Various literature topics were discussed during the round table discussion and point of instigating writers to write and promote their mother tongues and ideals to take the literature industry to another level around Northern CapeProvince and South Africa as whole.

Pupils and teachers in schools around Kimberly were surprised when they visited by the prolific writers, and the purpose was to emboldenpupil from the young age to love reading and writing and which will make it possible for them to write their own books in the future if the love of writing is alive and because the future of literature is in their hands and the culture of reading can be taken to another level of improvement.

Poet / Writer SabataMokae coordinated the three day programme of fest writers. Among the writers/poets present at the Festival was Napo Masheane, Dr James Matthews, Professor Peter Horn, Kabelo Duncan Kgatea, Tina Schouw, MarupingPhepheng, TueloGabonewe, Jahrose, Serame‘Icebound’, Sheila Khala, SizaNkosi and GontsewaChaane just to name the few. Publisher from Geko Publishing PhehelloMofokengwere also present and shared a few tips and advice to the emerging writers of how to publish their manuscripts.

Primrose Mrwebi and NelisaLunika from National Library of South Africa ‘Centre For The Books’ in Cape Town played a vital role as well during the 5^th Annual  Northern Cape Writers Festival. Writers around Kimberley were granted the opportunity to launch their new brand books and encourage those who have ideas to put them on them book and share their stories with the world.

Local Poets embraced the open mic session to recite their greatest work in the high calibre stage and that has excited them because they shared the stage with their role models and interact with them in person. And the experience alone instigated them to write more and more.

HECTOR KUNENE (middle), poet and essayist - and thespian