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The Herald, 23 August 1983
AFRICAN literature breaks the language barrier of the continent, creating a better understanding of the peoples, the Minister of Education and Culture, Dr Dzingai Mutumbuka, said in Harare yesterday.
Opening the first Zimbabwe International Book Fair at the National Gallery, Cde Mutumbuka praised African writers for their major role in shaping people’s thinking not only on the continent, but throughout the World.
He said, “If the aspirations and potential of Africa are to be realised, we must build bridges between people which transcend these barriers, for the unity and progress of Africa demands that we speak with one voice, even if the language that voice uses is different.”
Cde Mutumbuka said that much still needed to be done to introduce books in Zimbabwe’s educational system that reflected the aspirations of the country.
For example, history books still have a European over-view while the “O” Level literature examinations did not include any books by an African or Third World author.
Cde Mutumbuka said books, authors, publishers and booksellers were particularly important to the ministry to create a viable educational system.
The response to the fair had been so encouraging that it had been decided to make it an annual event. Some bookings and fundraising had already been done for 1984.
Thanking the organisers and participants for making Harare Africa’s publishing capital, Cde Mutumbuka said that as educators and entertainers they formed an important industry.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
• Four decades into Independence have seen a major transformation of the African literary landscape, as people have been eager to tell their own stories — be they political, economic, technological, social and cultural — in languages of their choice, not just Western languages.
• Government also created a conducive environment for the marketplace of ideas through literary works by allowing organisations such as the Zimbabwe International Book Fair, writers’ unions, Zimbabwe Book Development Council, Zimbabwe Library Association, to name but a few, to operate and promote African literature.
• This gesture has resulted in a number of writings, but more needs to be done so that Africa expresses itself artistically, without mimicking Western thought patterns.
• There could have been genuine reasons for closing down the Zimbabwe Literature Bureau, and scaling down operations of other institutions, but calls continue to be made that it be revived and well-funded to cater for established and upcoming artists.
• The reading culture, both print and electronic needs, to be encouraged across all age groups.
• Government must also ensure that the management of such organisations is not a racial and/or ethnic issue. All they need are resources and capacitation, not through donor funding, for he who pays the piper, calls the tune.
Online Reporter