Frederick Philander
11 April 2008
Windhoek — A total of 15 selected Namibian authors and writers will for the first time take part in public discussions on their creative works during an exciting four-day actuality programme titled, Honouring Namibian Writers, next week.
This will be the first time since independence that local writers are brought together in this manner taking into account the absence of a proper and functioning writers' body.
This to be welcomed literature initiative is coming from the library staff at the Polytechnic of Namibia under the leadership of chief librarian, Judie Grobler.
Mathew Gowaseb, Carol Kotze, Alex Kaputu, Vickson Hangula, Joseph Malopong are some of the 15 writers that will talk about their works and writings style during the gathering, which starts on Monday.
A local publisher has also been invited to speak on the last day of the event to give advice to potential writers on how to get their works published - something very hard and difficult to come by for Namibian writers. Most writers are self-published authors due to the selectiveness of local publishers regarding controversial and sometimes anti-government writings.
"The programme to honour Namibian writers originates from a similar event that was staged in Zimbabwe some years ago when the well-known annual Harare Book Fair was up and running. I suggested the same be done in Namibia," said Bernadette Chanetsa, one of the librarians.
According to Grobler the invited writers were selected through a process of subject fieldwork at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
"Recommendations were made as to the availability of writers to speak at the event. Through this process it is likely that we might have overlooked some writers during this first time effort, which we hope will grow in stature as from next year," Grobler said.
According to her, the programme is implemented in the hope of encouraging more Namibian writing.
"Presently, our own library hosts many books of a foreign nature with basically only 1 percent Namibian in content. I am sure there is enough writers' talent, which should be nurtured and encouraged in the country. We need to start practically encouraging our own writers to produce more books.
This event is also aimed at giving proper recognition to our own writers," she said.
Library staff member Justina Jahs was of the opinion that something more tangible needs to be done to encourage Namibian writing.
"My suggestion is that the government should subsidise Namibian writing as well as the publication of authentic writing. This will bring out the best writers to join a literature boom for the country," Jahs said.
Wessel Smit, also interested in writing, said that too much focus is put on the so-called 'big' writers from South Africa and elsewhere.
"The writing process in Namibia is a very frustrating one for most writers.
They never get proper exposure and opportunities to have their works published as well as appreciated by our own people. Many writers want to publish their work, but do not have the necessary funding or the know-how. However, this project has great potential for Namibian writers," he said.
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