Building a culture of reading
SANDTON - The City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services celebrates Africa Month by promoting African authors and literature.
This after the launch of Connie Manse Ngcaba’s book, May I Have This Dance, which took place at the Sandton Library. It is a memoir of her true-life story, and chronicles a part of South Africa’s history by a woman who lived it. Ngcaba documents her life and the connection it has with family, politics and community.
Nobuntu Mpendulo, director for library and information services for the City of Johannesburg, said the book was not only about an African woman but also a senior citizen. “It is a book that an 84-year-old woman has finished and it is an amazing achievement,” added Mpendulo.
“It touches on issues that are relevant for our children of today. The City of Johannesburg wants to gather all these stories from our senior citizens. We feel those stories are not told. We need African stories to be told by Africans and not Europeans,” she said.
Various guest and a group of youngsters from Realogile High School in Alexandra, were invited to meet Ngcaba, honour her success and hear about her book and life experiences. Ngcaba spoke about the inspiration behind her book and how love ultimately inspired its completion.
She said, “Love is a two-way expression that is given and received.”
Ngcaba also spoke about the importance of reading and encouraged the City of Johannesburg to foster a culture of reading in children. “Reading is what increases our knowledge and increases the culture of reading,” she said.
In the spirit of Africa Month, tweet @Sandton_News with your favourite African literature #AfricaMonth
