GRAAFF-REINET’S son of the soil, journalist and former ambassador to Algeria, Mzuvukile Maqethuka, will join other internationally acclaimed authors to host an authors’ book event on November 10 at the Umasizakhe Community Hall.
The event, the first of its kind, will include various published authors, among them publishing facilitator Frank Nunen. The book event is a precursor to the full Karoo Book Literary Festival, which is set to take place in Graaff-Reinet next year.
Maqethuka said, “Our main objective with this event is to encourage and inculcate a culture of reading and writing among the youth in our local communities while creating a platform for young aspiring publishers and writers in the Karoo area.”
The event is also a first in a series of regional literary events to be held across the western part of the Eastern Cape. An aspiring writer, Mlungisi Djose could not hold his excitement to himself when asked for comment by Mid-Karoo Express.
“I have always harboured dreams of writing my own book one day. With a platform like this I think I will be able to fulfil that dream,” he said.
The build-up to the event will entail the arrival of all the participants on Friday. They will be taken for a group tour to the town’s tourist destinations by local tourism company Karoo Connections.
This will be followed by a dinner in the evening where the participants will have the opportunity to mingle and network. The main event on November 10 will take place from 09:00 to 16:00.
Entry is R40 per adult and R20 for learners. Members of the public are urged to attend as it will offer those who want to pursue a career as an author or publisher an opportunity to get relevant information and assistance.
For more info visit www.karoobook.co.za or contact 076 999 5811 or 061 485 5491.