The EDUVOS Durban International Book Fair (DIBF) recently took place at the EDUVOS Umhlanga Campus. The theme ‘Once upon a time” highlighted the festival’s commitment to promote a culture of reading and storytelling, particularly among young children. The five (5) day literary feast featured book launches by novice and established authors of novels, poetry and academic works; workshops on cover layout and design, creative writing and publishing; and a range of competitions, including a hugely popular chess tournament and the ‘Mind Blown League’. The event was open to the public and it attracted more than 3000 visitors including local schools, community organisations and book publishers. As an acknowledgement of our ongoing support and commitment to promoting literacy and reading in our city, DUT was granted the privilege to share the naming of one of the three allocated rooms that was used for book launches and workshops. The DUT Cheryl Roberts Stage hosted over 50 book launches, 22 of these were academic, fiction and works of poetry that were authored by current and former DUT staff and students.
Some of the DUT student authors who were featured at the fair include ‘One Chance’ and ‘The legacy series: Erased by time’ by Huvanya Naidoo; ‘A Dubious Alliance’ & ‘The Legacy’ by Dumo Xaba; ‘Life beyond the karman line OUTERSPACE’ by Dr Thabani Mazibuko; ‘Suicide Note’ by Sboniso Manqele; and ‘Izimpumputhe’ by Samukelo Dlamini.
Nine (9) graphic design students also launched their literature books for children which was authored, illustrated and published by them as part of a second – year project. The titles of these books are: ‘Leo and the Sea Turtle’ by Taariq Chetty; ‘Wash Your Hands’ by Sinoyolo Tantsi; ‘Emihle’s River Rescue Mission’ by Lusanda Mzolo; ‘Thembi and the Umgungundlovu River’ by Reese Pather; ‘Tony the Whale’s Big Problem’ by Mpathwenhe Ndaba; ‘The Adventure of Maya and Mr. Hooterman’ by Jadene Pillay; ‘Heart of the River’ by Nikhiel Pakkiri; ‘Mkhulu and the Wooden Guitar’ by Siyaphila Mbuyazi and ‘Tales of Togetherness’ by Tyrese Ramgopaul.
Seven (7) DUT staff also launched their academic works at the book fair. Academic works included: ‘A framework for continuous quality improvement for fast-track queues in clinics in eThekwini’ by Dr Dudu Sokhela; ‘Information Services for a Sustainable Society: Current Developments in an Era of Information Disorder’ by Dr Collence Chisita; ‘Biomass-based Bioplastic and Films: Preparation, Characterization, and Application’ by Dr Oluwatoyin Joseph Gbadeyan & Prof Nirmala Deenadayalu; ‘The dynamics of residential satisfaction in low-income human settlements in South Africa’ by Dr Godfrey Musvoto and ‘Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic’ by Prof Fulufhelo Netswera. These academic sessions were really engaging as the audience were able to relate to the societal impact of the research.
Pictured: Second year Graphic Design students book launch.
Two works of poetry, ‘Onions and Irises – Home Poems’ by Dr Marí Peté and ‘Just Hustle OK’ by Ms Lee Scott was also launched at the fair.
The majority of the DUT staff and student launch sessions were expertly facilitated by DUT colleagues, Dr Jeff Mkhize, Mr Barry Lottering (Department of Graphic Design) and Mr Romeo Matumba (Library).
A key feature of the DIBF was workshops to assist young writers to publish. Two of these workshops were facilitated by DUT staff. The first on Content Layout & Design was facilitated Barry Lottering from the Department of Graphic Design and the second on Creative Writing by Prof Gift Mheta and Dr Jeff Mkhize from the Writing Centre.
An interesting and informative session on literacy was also facilitated by DUT. Ms Phumzile Xulu led a discussion on community literacy projects. DUT Journalism students, Mr Enzokuhle Sabela and Ms Hlengiwe Mfeka also used this opportunity to share briefly their involvement in community projects.
Pictured: DUT DIBF Student volunteers, DUT library book club students, DUT Graphic Design student authors and DUT Library staff.
A new addition to this years’ programme was the inclusion of volunteers from higher education institutions. Seven (7) DUT Journalism students; Mr Samkelo Biyela, Ms Faith Hlongwane, Ms Hlengiwe Mfeka, Ms Kwanele Ntombela, Mr Sizwe Ntshololo, Mr Enzokuhle Sabela and Minenhle Zikhali, and four (4) Library & Information Science students; Mr Busiso Mpanza, Ms Sinazo Nqatsha, Mr Siqiniseko Zulu and Ms Puleng Phakathi, were selected to volunteer at the fair. These students assisted with visitors to the fair, setup of venues, and also attended many of the workshops & book launches. These students were fully immersed in their roles and were very engaged in the many conversations and discussions during the book launches.
Apart from the participation of DUT student authors and volunteers, the library also took a small number of the umber of the DUT Library book club students were also given an opportunity to attend the fair.
The DIBF provided a unique opportunity for DUT staff and students. From the launching of books; to volunteering at the book fair; to delivering workshops for students and local authors; to actively engaging in discussions on literacy and other societal issues, DUT has made a small contribution to the promotion of literacy in our City, a UNESCO City of Literature. Much more needs to be done! One of the key takeaways from this year’s book fair, ‘what can you do?’. Each of us, in small ways, can play a role in improving literacy in our communities.
Pictured: DUT student authors book launch, Ms Huvanya Naidoo, DUT staff member, Mr Romeo Matumba, Mr Sboniso Manqele and Mr Dumo Xaba, at the book launch.
Romeo Matumba
