KZN Literary Tourism has hit the ground running in 2008. We aim to have the Cato Manor Writers Trail published by the end of this month and have plans to develop three more trails. These are the Albert Luthuli/Benedict Vilakazi Trail, the Midlands Writers Trail (including John van de Ruit) and the Indanda Writers Trail (focusing on Ghandi and his descendants). Contact us for more information on these trails. Here are the latest additions to our website.
Reviews
Fanie Fourie’s Lobola by Nape ‘a Motana
Fanie Fourie’s Lobola is, without doubt, unlike any book I’ve ever read. And not only because it’s written from an Afrikaner’s perspective (by a Sepedi man). Not only because it tackles the subject of inter-racial relationships with humour and candour. But because it is filled with the richness of an African traditional storyteller, only told in English.
This is most likely because it was originally written in Sepedi, and then translated into English by the author, Nape ‘a Motana, who retained much of the original colour and flavour in the language usage. What does this mean? Flowery descriptions, emotions bordering on melodrama and plenty of emphasis on ‘this beauty whom the gods of Afrika had undoubtedly blessed with splendid dimples.’ But somehow, it isn’t distracting, and simply adds to the book’s appeal.
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Ja, No, Man by Richard Poplak
Take the nostalgia bred from having spent sixteen years growing up in South Africa, and then sixteen years out of it, and combine it with a lot of thought around the responsibility of white South Africans during Apartheid, and you have Ja, No, Man in a nutshell.
Described as ‘a memoir of pop culture, girls, suburbia*. and Apartheid’, Ja, No, Man is Richard Poplak’s story of the first sixteen years of his life, which is special because (as he says), ‘What makes my experience remarkable and my perspective unique is that I lived in South Africa only under the Apartheid regime* My South Africa, the universe I inhabited as a boy, died three months after I left it.’
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Podcasts
A conversation with Lindy Stiebel
Lindy Stiebel discusses literary tourism, the KZN Literary Tourism project and literary trails in KwaZulu-Natal.
Lindy Stiebel is project leader of KZN Literary Tourism. She is also Professor in English Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Stieble is the author of Imagining Africa: landscape in H.Rider Haggard's African romances (Greenwood Press 2001), Thomas Baines and the 'Great Map' (Campbell Collections 2001), and co-editor of Still Beating the Drum: Critical Perspectives on Lewis Nkosi (Rodapi and Wits University Press 2006). She has published articles on South African literature, spatial discourse and literary tourism.
A conversation with Bridget McNulty
Bridget McNulty discusses her novel Strange Nervous Laughter, the connection between place and writing, and her hometown of Durban.
Bridget was born and grew up in Durban, a city she is still strongly attached to - in real life and literary. After finishing high school, she went to America to study Creative Writing and Theatre at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She returned to Durban after graduating in 2005, and spent a year writing at home, soaking up the sounds and smells and vibrancy of the city of Durban, and transforming them into text for her novel, Strange Nervous Laughter.
A conversation with Peter Machen
Peter Machen talks to Niall McNulty about his book Durban - A Paradise and its People, the city of Durban and how it influences his writing.
Durban - A Paradise and its People is a unique guide to the city from the perspective of those who live here. Writer and designer Peter Machen uses minimal text and rich, vibrant photographs to display the diversity of everything from architecture, music, fashion, art, dance and theatre, to film, museums and sport. For the serious minded, there are views on city government and sustainability. Published by eThekwini Municipality, the book has had rave reviews in the local and national media.
Tribute
Mynhardt verlang na Patrick -Byebye, Bethulie Boy, Byebye
At the beginning of 2004, whilst registering students at UKZN, I happened to find myself next to the head of the Drama Department. I tell him about my PhD on Literary Tourism. He tells me that he has heard that Patrick Mynhardt, the Bard of the Bosveld, has stacks of paraphernalia that he doesn't know what to do with. Ever the optimist. I decide to try 1023. " Do you have the number of a Patrick Mynhardt", I ask Yes, they tell me. I dial the number waiting to hear that I have the wrong Patrick Mynhardt.
Photographs Required
We are looking for two photographs for our Cato Manor Writers Trail - one is of the playwright Kessie Govender and the other is of the Indian community (market gardens, shops, homes) in Cato Manor. If you could assist us, please contact me at niall@literarytourism.co.za
Book Launch
Penguin Books and Exclusive Books takes pleasure in inviting you to the official launch of Durban in a Word, Contrast and Colours in eThekwini, edited by Dianne Stewart. This collection of contemporary writings by contributors who have a strong connection to Durban/KwaZulu-Natal captures the essence of Durban. Di Stewart, Greg Ash (NOAH), John van de Ruit and Devi Rajab will be saying a few words.
Date: Wednesday 27 February 2008
Time: 5:30 for 6:00pm
At: Exclusive Books Pavilion, Westville
Tours
Grey Street Writers Trails
Just a reminder, we run regular tours based on our popular Grey Street Writers trail. These tours are open to tourists and Durban residents alike and we encourage as many people as possible to join us. For more on the tour, see Grey Street Literary Trail.
Lindy Stiebel and Niall McNulty
niall@literarytourism.co.za
