Creating a culture of reading in Zimbabwe
Someone on these pages (Chief Biriwasha?) announced that he was starting a book distrubution program. Even if it’s something that leads to the setting up of a library or a used book store, it is a great idea. We need to promote reading in the country. I realize that now may not be the best time to try and wave a book in people’s faces since there are more compelling concerns, but a book is what someone may need next after something else.
Just why should we promote reading? I am convinced that Zimbabwean literature may go through an upsurge following these very difficult years we have gone through, but for the process to be complete and rewarding, a balance between writing and readership has to be created. We cannot always rely on foreign readership; we need to nurture a market within our borders first.
There is hope because Zimbabwe is one of the most literate countries in Africa. Given a chance, and the right exposure, the people will find time to read. Efforts by Pamberi Trust and what used to (and may still) be the Zimbabwe Book Publishers’ Association, and even (but especially) the ZIBF to promote reading and appreciation of books are commendable. But I sense that lately there has been more promotion of writing than there has been of reading. The two need to grow simultaneously, so that we don’t end up with many books that have no readers.
If anyone here knows of efforts being made in the country to promote reading, please share the information.
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@Emmaunuel indeed Chief has some great ideas about percolating a reading culture in this here country and his ideas have legs. Please Chief do an encore with regards to your book plans.
Now emmanuel if you missed an earlier post of mine please note that if you are interested in joining a book club there’s one called Tavavanhu African Literature Enterprise (TALEnt). This is run by two energetic young women Marcellina and Diana. You can email me on briangondo(at)gmail(dot)com and I will gladly provide you with their contact details. One of the key aims of Tavavanhu is to unite Africans through literature (especially African Literature). Their aim is to take you throughout Africa so that you fall in love, laugh with and cry with other Africans through literature. Hope that helps!
There are many efforts to promote WRITING but not reading per se. Publisher Irene Staunton said to me once that she was disappointed at how many people sent her manuscripts who had never read a book by a Zimbabwean author.
There was once a National Book Reading Week. Not sure if it’s still going on.
How come I never read about National Book Reading Week?
@Brian: Dunno. Perhaps you weren’t READING the newspapers