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Library workers, the literary lions of Africa
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Zakes Mda's book "The Madonna of Excelsior" is in the list of top ten publications of the decade.
Photo: Courtesy of Oxford University Press.
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The Madonna of Excelsior by Zakes Mda was among the books chosen by South African library workers as
one of the top ten books of the first decade of democracy.
In a letter to the organisers, the Library
and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), Mda says;
"It is a wonderful gesture that will certainly propel me to greater heights. It is also
fulfilling to see that South African librarians are not passively sitting
in their ivory towers, waiting for readers to come and read or borrow
books, but are actively engaged in activities that promote reading,
especially the literature that is produced in South Africa. We often
complain that there is no culture of reading in our country without ever
doing anything about it. LIASA is showing us the way."
The letter was read at the launch of South African Library Week at the Central Library in Cape Town last week.
The theme for the week was "1994 - 2004 Libraries in a decade of democracy."
Mda went on to say:
"I must add what you have done for The Madonna of Excelsior is much greater than
you can imagine. You have given the book an impetus that will bestow on it
an even longer life than it would have otherwise had. You may not be aware
that this is the greatest award that this novel has received. Being chosen
by people who know so much about books as one of the best ten among
hundreds of books that have been published in the ten years of our
democracy is no small matter. Being so honoured in my own country by my
compatriots is even more gratifying. Once more thank you very much."
These sentiments were closely echoed by Antjie Krog who attended the launch and read from her work.
Both Country of my Skull and Change of Tongue by Antjie Krog were among the top ten titles nominated.
View the top ten titles.
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