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Six umSinsi authors and umSinsi Press hosted a book launch in Hall 1 at the SABC Head Office on Saturday 13th December 2014. Each of the authors invited approximately 10 guests, making in total an audience of 75 people. The function was opened by Mr Musa Mbili, HOD Correctional Services Men’s Medium B Prison at Westville. This was fitting as two of the authors were ex-offenders, with novels to launch, one in isiZulu, the other in English.
The spread of genre of books that were launched was wide. There were two anthologies for Early Childhood Development, one anthology of poetry, a play in isiZulu, a motivational book and the two novels.
An interested audience listened to each author presenting him or herself. There were two mini playlets demonstrating the content of part of the books. The launch was topped with a delicious breyani supper provided by Mrs Gori. Thanks to all concerned who helped make this a great success!
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New Beginnings is an Early Childhood Development is an academy for training of practitioners that has been in existence for 23 years. Patsy Pillay, their Director, was proud to launch their very first anthology of stories for practitioners to read to small children. This took place on Saturday 13th at the SABC Hall 1 in Durban.
In her talk, Patsy told the audience there are 20 000 creches or pre-primaries in South Africa, most of whom have no books with stories for small children. “Our Stories for Young Children” which is the title of their anthology, has been beautifully illustrated in colour by Gill Nicholson. The stories follow a theme of Social Justice, and through the stories, small children can learn about other cultures, about kindness, helpfulness, gender equality and understand positive values.
Patsy brought on stage a team of three student teachers to bring to life three of the stories. Patsy’s favourite is called “Our Hero, Tata Mandela” which helps children to understand, in simple language, how our democracy was formed.
Patsy would like to find sponsorship for a big run of the books so that she can GIVE every crèche a copy of this book.
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This highly inspirational novel is about a small boy whose father deserts them. The mother, a domestic worker, has to care for her three children on her very small wages. But the hero grows up to become a soccer champion and a teacher. He meets a young lady with whom he falls in love. She becomes a student at his school but because of his success in life in many fields, jealousy causes him a great deal of trouble.
He wins through it and even gets to meet with his aging father but tragedy strikes. This is a novel that in interesting from beginning to end.
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Vera Alexander with her new adult novel in English.
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Next was Sibongile Ndabandaba (Photographed at the Umsinsi stand with Ndiphile Gule) with two books. One is a motivational book entitled “Thoughts vs Pages” The second is a delightful book for ECD practitioners and primary school learners called Gogo Stories, with stories suitable for reading to small and older children. This book has beautiful colourful illustrations done by a talented Cape Town illustrator and graphic designer, Genna Chorn.
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Phindile Madge Dube was the first UmSinsi author to launch her play called Lixhoshwa Libhekile.
Felicity was extremely happy and proud when Philani Emmanual Nzuzavisited the Dancing Pencils stand. He is shown in the picture with Hlengiwe Ngcongo, Assistant Manager, Language Department, of Arts and Culture. Philani was an offender in Westivlle Men’s Maximum Security prison in 2013 when Felicity spent six months grooming the men in right brain writing. Not only did Philani have a short story in the anthology “Stories from the Grave” and a poem in the anthology “Tears of the Inmates” (both launched at Exclusive Books, Pavilion, Westville in October last year) but he has gone on to write his first novel, Awkward Journey to Triumph. Philani is holding these three books which were on display at the umSinsi/Dancing Pencils stand. ]]>
This is the oldest of the writing clubs, having started their first published work in 2012. It is mentored by Mrs Veena Gangaram, a teacher of 32 years standing who has a committed club of 65 children at her marginally disadvantaged school in Newlands West, Durban..
Although the club launched their book a few days previously, they had an enthusiastic representation that included the presence of the Principal, Ms Mpungose.
Their anthology, called It’s our Choice Again, has a wide variety of stories. These include romantic stories, soothing stories and also crime and violence. This is definitely a book that will extend the minds of those who read it!
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