There are so many events in and around the African Literature sphere in the very recent. One of the ones which I have been tracking and that interests me very much is the Long Story Short project which is the brainchild of Yewande Omotoso. Omotoso for the uninformed most recently was announced as one of the scholars for the Miles Morland Foundation and was also a runner-up of the Etisalat Prize for African literature.
Her new initiative is the Long Story Short which aims at celebrating and elevating African writers and their work by producing free podcasts of African stories for all to enjoy. The project has gotten some support from the good folks at the City of Tshwane, Department of Arts & Culture Mzantsi Golden Economy Fund The Academy of Television and Screen Arts, BooksLive.co.za, and the Goethe Institut.
Saturday afternoon seems to be a good time to be in Johannesburg as this will be the time that the Long Story Short officially kicks off. This is with the live recording of Nozizwe Cynthia Jele‘s new short story “Tender” with TV actress, social activist, and bookworm Hlubi Mboya reading the story.
Cynthia Jele first came onto the scene when her debut novel, Happiness is a Four Letter Word won a raft of awards; I was a big fan of the book.
The event will be opened by South African Poet Laureate ntate Keorapetse “bra Willy” Kgositsile who is also the patron of the project. He will give a few words on the importance and relevance of African literature.
The Podcast of the reading will be available for FREE download on the 3rd of April 2015.
Also set for future recordings will be the work of many authors featured. They include Lauri Kubuitsile, Zukiswa Wanner, Siphiwo Mahala, K Sello Duiker, Karen Jennings, Rachel Zadok, Niq Mhlongo, Zakes Mda, Jamala Safari, Chibundu Onuzo, Wame Molefhe, Reneilwe Malatji, Tendai Huchu, Monique Kwachou, Chika Unigwe, Doreen Baingana, HJ Golakai, A Igoni Barrett, Shafinaaz Hassim, Kgebetli Moele, Veronique Tadjo, Uche Peter Umez and Thando Mngqolozana.
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