World Book Day with Long Story Short

23 April 1616 is the date recorded for the deaths of three famous writers; Shakespeare, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Cervantes. Since 1997, every April the 23^rd has been set aside as a day to celebrate the wonderful world of literature.

The World Book Day commemoration theme in South Africa is Come Read With Me, with this in mind, ShowMe Pretoria spoke to Kgauhelo Dube who is the initiator of the Long Story Short project which aims to celebrate and elevate African writers and their work by producing free podcasts of African stories for all to enjoy.

Kgauhelo Dube | Photo: Lerato-Rato Themba Kuzwayo

How did the Long Story Short idea come about?

The #LongstorySHORT idea came from an identified need that most public schools in townships don’t have school libraries so that means young South Africans have very limited “face time” with literature outside of prescribed literature in the classroom.

How would you like to see the project progress and benefit communities?

Reading opens up the reader to the world. You may not be in a position to travel, but you can through reading a book. In that way, a reader develops an evolved worldview.

As an eager reader, why is it important to you for South Africans to read and write?

Reading and writing are key life skills. Life becomes very difficult outside of literacy. You need literacy to navigate the modern world – many things can go awfully lost in translation outside of the key understanding of language.

Will Long story Short focus only on South African literature or African literature as a whole?

We have stories from all over the continent. It was extremely important to open SA youths to stories from the continent. We believe that through reading stories about each other as Africans, we will tap into our similarities in humanity – which will engender tolearnce and compassion towards each other.

What is your opinion on schools not paying much attention to African literature when we are from this continent and would most probably relate better to the stories from this home?

Traditional school systems are entrenched in post-colonial strategies. The issues are complex; but it looks as if the Department of Education is gradually introducing more African Literature to the syllabus.

I’d like to say to parents and learners alike – part of active citizenry is making these requests to the powers-that-be and not just passively consuming whatever one is prescribed. In order to change the status quo, the public will have to make these demands.

Which actresses or actors will be part of the Long Story Short recordings?

Hlubi Mboya, Abena Ayivor, Khulu Skenjana, Quanita Adams, Mbali Kgosidintsi  and Lindiwe Matshikiza are the first 6 storytellers.

How did you manage to get the actresses, actors and the authors involved in this project? What was their first reaction?

Kajeno Media has been in the media and arts sector for 13 years – so we relied on existing relationships with storytellers that are part of the launch phase.

It was important as well, to approach performers who are also book lovers. Their automatic response was immediate buy-in because as readers themselves, they know how important the world of words is to broadening one’s horizons.

Name three books and authors that had an effect on you and explain why?

Recently, Niq Mhlongo’s Way Back Home – It’s been a long time since I read a book that had me hanging in suspense. I read it in one sitting a few weekends ago.

Alice Walker’s The Colour Purple – I read it as a teenager and it demystified the “shine” of America – particularly in relation to the history of African-Americans.

A Life Elsewhere – Segun Afolabi, it’s a collection of short stories speaking to the issues of immigration, displacement, African identity and the challenges of life. I love how a good writer can illuminate human struggles –and Afolabi does that well.

Which libraries in Pretoria will the readings be held?

Olievenhoutbosch.

Hamanskraal.

Eskia Mphahlele (Pretoria CBD – Sammy Marks’ Square)

Saulsville (Atteridgeville)

Nellmapius (Mamelodi)

Soshanguve

Where can people get hold of the podcasts?

We will post notices on www.kajenomedia.com and Facebook Page: Long story SHORT – african literature goes digital.

Keep an eye on our Events& Entertainment page to find out when the next Long Story Short reading will be.