South African Book Fair promotes diversity in African publishing

12 July 2017, Johannesburg – The South African Book Development Council (SABDC) marks July as a celebration of diversity and Africanism. In keeping with the South African Book Fair (SABF) theme #OURSTORIES each month leading up to the event taking place at Museum Africa in Newtown, from 8-10 September will shine the spotlight on a particular part of #OURSTORIES. The focus on different aspects aims to open up various conversations that will feed into the SABF programme in greater detail in September.

As the programme takes shape, the SABDC is adding some of the best talent from South Africa and abroad to give life to #OURSTORIES. Some authors confirmed, so far, include Koleka Putuma, Nick Mulgrew, Fiona Melrose, Achmat Dangor, Athambile Masola, Deon Meyer, Clyde Beech, Loyiso Mkize and Mbali Vilakazi. These authors already make up a truly representative picture of the stories that can be heard at the SABF this year.

When looking at #OURSTORIES we need to ask what we have achieved and what remains to be done. As South Africans, it is time to take our place as Africans more seriously when positioning ourselves as citizens of the world. Understanding ourselves as Africans too, is part of a story history has denied us and moving forward requires us to put ourselves together as new, proud and diverse African people.

The SABDC sees the SABF as a unique opportunity for the book publishing sector to position itself collectively as a relevant, inclusive and important part of development in South Africa and the rest of Africa. Scholarly publishers in South Africa have heeded the call of SABF 2017's vision. They are giving expression to this vision by organising themselves into a Research Lane at the Fair, which includes participation by The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the African Institute of South Africa (AISA), UNISA, the University of Cape Town and Witwatersrand.

For those visiting the Fair, visiting the Research Lane is an opportunity to engage African-led research and knowledge production which seeks to explore, question and debate issues that are relevant to the lived experiences of African people, which is another way of telling #OURSTORIES. Most importantly, engaging research is an opportunity to try and improve the lives of African people.

As another highlight at this year’s SABF, the SABDC, in association with the Publishers’ Association of South Africa (PASA) and the Fibre Processing & Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA), is introducing its new Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) at the SABF.

“We are committed to uplifting SMMEs in the publishing sector in order to grow small businesses and ensure the sustainability of their businesses for the future. This programme will open up a host of opportunities for job creation, expose small, local businesses to international opportunities and represent South African publishing on a global scale,” says Felleng Yende, CEO of the FP&M SETA.

The SABF, supported by various stakeholders, thinkers and authors will be a space to start conversations around what being African means and how we can think of being African as more than one thing. If we are to tell #OURSTORIES, should all stories get the same attention or should untold and silenced stories have their time now? If we are diverse, can we all claim a truly African identity and what are the limits, if any, of that articulation?

These conversations, present a unique entry into new worlds of knowledge and experience which are not always easy to exist in. Being different together is, however, uncomfortable and it is often by holding discomfort and complexity that we can meet each other to walk new journeys. In the coming months, we hope #OURSTORIES can inspire many such journeys.

The SABF will take place at:

Venue: Museum Africa in Newtown, Johannesburg

Dates: 8-10 September, 2017

Time: 10:00

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This thought press release, is issued by On Point PR on behalf of the South African Book Development Council.

About South African Book Development Council

Formerly known as the Print Industries Cluster Council (PICC), the South African Book Development Council (SABDC) is the representative body of the South African Book Sector. Its members include all key stakeholders in the book value chain.

About the South African Book Fair

The re-designed South African Book Fair, is now under the auspices of the South African Book Development Council (SABDC). The SABF will provide a unique opportunity for promotion and trade and will be made up of three key elements – The Exhibition, The Literary Festival and Business2Business. The SABF is an opportunity for the book publishing industry to brand and position itself as a relevant, inclusive and important part of South Africa and Africa’s development. With a focus on providing a strong platform for the book industry, the South African Book Fair has the following broad objectives:

  • Forge and promote partnerships across the industry, both locally and continentally
  • Showcase books, authors and industry in general
  • SMME and Entrepreneurial development
  • Enterprise and Skills development across the value chain
  • Lively, captivating literary festival
  • Promote a reading culture and increase access to books

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