Media Release
The prestigious 7th annual South African Literary Awards (SALA) heads for its final adjudication session on the 29th September 2012 and will announce the nominees on the 2nd October 2012. The winners will be awarded at a gala Awards ceremony scheduled for the 10th November 2012, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State Province.
The SALA 2012 Awards, a culmination of the four-day inaugural Africa Century International African Writers Conference, will be combined with the Africa Literature Music Concert, comprising succulently crafted marriage and dialectical interplay between literature and music by Africa’s iconic literati and musicians. This exciting kaleidoscope will bring together, under one roof, some of the world’s literary academics, writers, artists, youth and the community at large to share and experience the world of literature in the company of other art genres including dance, visual art, comedy, disc jockeys featuring: Vusi Mahlasela, Lebo Mashile, Keorapetse Kgositsile, Olufemi & the Natives, Pops Mohamed, Chris Mapane, Bongani Nxumalo, MXO, Ikeogu Oke, Thabo Mdluli, Afrotraction, Toya Delazy, Nathiz, DJ Miza & DJ’s Major League, Jah-Rose,Icebound, Vintage and more.
“We are very excited about the strides SALA has made thus far. These prestigious Awards have shown growth since inception, having started in 2005 with one category, to date SALA boasts 11 categories, the new one being “Creative Non-Fiction Award”, said Raks Morakabe Seakhoa, Managing Director of the wRite associates and Project Director of the South African Literary Awards/Africa Century International African Writers Conference.
“This category attracted a huge number of submissions as it is open to creative non-fiction works which includes biographies/autobiographies, letters, speeches and memoirs,” continued Seakhoa.
Equally exciting is that SALA will broaden its scope to receive work from the entire African Continent and the African Diaspora.
SALA will also launch its fourth legacy programme, the Africa Century International African Writers Conference, which will take place from the 7th to the 10th November 2012 at the University of the Free State.
This prospective historical gathering of authors and literary scholars and historians from across the world, will, as the then-OAU’s Conference of African Ministers of Education and Culture (meeting in Coutonou, Benin, in 1991) resolved, “…afford the African people a moment of pause within which to reflect on the contribution of African Writers to the development of the Continent”.
“This event will also mark the 21st anniversary of the then-OAU (now-AU) declared International African Writers’ Day (i.e. 7th November). The theme of this is: From Resistance to Creative Mediation: Celebrating a Century of Writing and Literary Intellectuals’ Influence On The Liberation Struggles & Political Impact on Literary Discourse and Development,” added Seakhoa.
The four day exciting programme, in addition to the Awards, Music Concert and the conference seminars, will feature other literary programmes including:
– Nobel Laureate, Nadine Gordimer discusses her latest work, ‘No Time Like The Present”
– An evening with the National Poet Laureate: Poetry Reading by Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile and guest poets
– Public Lecture by His Excellency, President Thabo M Mbeki
– Poetry, Comedy and Performances
– Creative Writing Skills Development Programme, Facilitated by: Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile, Mr. Walter Chakela and Dr. Oswald Mtshali
– Tsebo-Lethabo Primary and High Schools Programme
– Books, art & crafts and clothing exhibitions and more
For more information, please email info@writeassociates.co.za or call 011-791 3585.
For bookings and registration, please visit www.africacenturyconference.org or www.sala.org.za or buy at Computicket.
