The City of Johannesburg is proud to host the 10th annual Jozi Book Fair (JBF) from today, 30 August 2018 to 02 September 2018, at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.
The JBF is the longest running book festival in South Africa, and the longest running book festival outside of the Western Cape. It is set to enhance the year-long educational programmes the City’s libraries have been running - designed to encourage working class residents to both read, and write.
Not discriminating against people from difference classes, races and ages, the JBF is an effort by the Library and Information Services Department within the City’s Community Development Department, to encourage lifelong learning.
The Library and Information Services will entertain young festival goers with exciting puppet shows and storytelling sessions on the 1st and 2nd of September, and will add to the fun with some interesting face painting on 2 September.
This year, the JBF will be focused on young children, school learners, and youth and working residents in order to inculcate a culture where reading finds expression in the normal day to day activities of our residents, particularly in the previously forgotten spaces of our City.
A special tribute will be paid to the late SA Poet Laureate and JBF Patron, Keorapetse Kgositsile. Other tributes will be performed by James Matthews, Lindsey Collen, Diana Ferrus, Wally Serote and worker poets.
Authors that will be participating in the JBF include Lindsey Collen, Jacklyn Cock, Jolyn Phillips, Luli Callinicos, Motsoko Pheko, Farayi Matondo, Oscar Banda, Brian Unmaki, Hertha Nekwaya, Janet Smith and Rabbie Serumula Legends, Patrons & Internationally acclaimed authors.
Participants of the Fair’s Open Mic Competition will also stand a chance to win a publishing of their work prize – an opportunity that can change the life of a writer forever.
Highlights of this year’s JBF will include:
• International Authors;
• Workshops;
• Book launches that will include the 3rd edition of Batjha Kaofela: an anthology of ten short stories by Jozi Book Fair’s Tsohang Batjha school youth, from township schools;
• Roundtable discussions;
• Exciting exhibitions; and
• Music and Theatre which includes the iconic street play It’s too late by Gibson Kente
To ensure access to all the residents of the City, entrance is free of charge, and books will be sold at discounted prices to ensure that those less fortunate are also able to participate in, and enjoy the festivities.
For a full programme, please visit: https://www.jozibookfair.org.za
Issued by:
Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development
City of Joburg
For media queries, please contact:
Ms Karabo Tledima
Stakeholder Manager
Community Development Department
Cell: 061 794 3819
Email: Karabot@joburg.org.za
