The Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan invites media to the first anniversary of the departmental book club. Informed by its mandate of promoting the culture of reading and writing, the Department of Arts and Culture established the club in 2007. The highlight of the event will be a special tribute by Minister Jordan to the National Poet Laureate, Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile who recently received the prestigious Presidential Order of Ikhamanga for his remarkable contribution to the development and promotion of literature. Another highlight of the event will be a book exhibition showcasing works produced by South African writers.

The book club initiative reinforces other government projects such as Kha ri gude mass literacy campaign, reprinting of South African literary classics, indigenous languages publishing project and the establishment of the Baobab Literacy journal. Speaking at the department’s 2008 budget vote, Minister Jordan said, “A culture of reading books is needed desperately in South Africa if our country is to fulfil its potential”. “More readers would directly lead to growth of the publishing industry”, Jordan further stated.

Since its inception, the club has hosted 10 well-known authors during the numerous sessions it has held. The book club sessions are used to discuss selected titles and interact with the authors thereof. The sessions have proved to be insightful and inspiring for the employees and the club has grown enormously. Management of the department believe that the initiative will encourage the employees to read more for both leisure and formally through academic enrolments. This culture could also be extended to their families. As a result, other government departments have expressed keen interest in the initiative.

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: 25 November 2008
Time: 17: 30
Venue: National Library of South Africa, 228 Proes Street, Pretoria

Media enquiries:  Premi Appalraju on 082 903 6778
RSVP:   Eric Mudzanani on 082 940 0927