INDIGENOUS language writers from various language groups were honoured for their literary work which is now breaking the mainstream barriers as the clamour for English subsides.
The Indigenous Languages Publishing Programme (ILPP) Awards, that took place at the Protea Wanderers Hotel, brought together authors, publishers and bibliophiles in a celebration of previously marginalised writing.
A joint initiative between the Department of Arts and Culture and the South African Book Development Council, this was a literary award ceremony like no other. Authors of 19 books in the genres of poetry, novels, short stories, drama and a reference book were awarded R15 000 each, made possible with funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund as recognition of their contribution to this particular form of publishing.
They included leading voices in folklore and vernacular writing such as Gcina Mhlope, Isaac Saki Shabangu and MJ Mokaba, among others. Speaking of this groundbreaking initiative, CEO of the council, Elitha van der Sandt pointed out that this was a first of its kind in South African publishing industry.
“It’s worthy to note that the Indigenous Languages Publishing Programme is not an award like other awards. All authors that are part of the programme receive R15 000 for each title that was published and formed part of National Book Week.
“They also receive 15 percent of royalties of book sales. The entire project is based on the principles of book development, where not only more books are being produced, but the mechanisms of the production are also changed,” she said.
Event programme director and ILPP committee member, Mandla Matyumza, praised the project, calling it ‘a good intervention that needs to be supported’ and applauded the support from the lottery.
“Indigenous language books are so important in the movement of indigenous languages as they carry our culture and values of who we are as Africans, which is something embedded in our languages,” Matyumza said.
The cultural and content diversity to come out of this initiative will ensure that indigenous language books will move beyond the classroom to become a player on the publishing main stage, while contributing to the transformation of the local book sector.
Van der Sandt implored libraries and booksellers to stock more indiginous language books, while Matyumza urged publishers to market indigenous language books with as much vigour as they do English titles.
