Efforts towards the improvement of the lot of writers in the Free State continue unabated. Budding writers in the province are now continuously graduating to be seasoned writes as a result of efforts by the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR). Through the Literature Development Unit, the department has dedicated time and other resources towards the successful development of literature in the Free State with a view to assisting all aspiring writers in the province.
This will be achieved in various ways, such as the recent successful launch of the Free State Writers Forum in February 2011. Some of the major deliverables on this Literature Development drive are to create an enabling environment for writers in the province to:
1) be discovered, nurtured, developed and empowered 2) acquire professional creative writing skills 3) produce good quality literary material 4) acquire funding for the development of individual talents 5) showcase and market their products both within and outside the province 6) meaningfully participate in provincial, national and international literary activities, 7) interact with local, national and international literary scholars and practitioners 8) increase production of quality literary material. 9) acquire sufficient knowledge to deal with the marketing of their products, and chances for income generation for individuals, and 10) access resources to assist with self-improvement and contribution to the growth of the provincial literature.
As another measure of supporting the Literature Development initiative, the department will host the Writing Skills Development Workshop scheduled as follows:
Date: 29 to 30 June 2011
Venue: Reitz, Nketoana Municipality
Time: 08h00 to 16h00
Genres targeted for skills development are: drama, scriptwriting, poetry, novels and short stories.
There will be facilitators, who are specialists in these different genres, who will workshop attendees’ individual manuscripts. Expected to benefit from these workshop are budding writers as well as seasoned writers who need to hone their skills further for publishing new titles for 2011. Facilitators will include among others literature practitioners and renowned writers such as Mr Thapelo Moraka, Mr TWD Mohapi, Professor Thapelo Selepe, Mr N P Nakeli, as well Mr Mathene Mahanke. The latter two are officials from the department who are writers in their own right.
Your media house is cordially invited.
Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Cell: 082 940 2392
Tel: 051 410 4742/4786/4719
E-mail: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
Tshidiso Masoloane
Cell: 082 259 2095
Tel: 051 410 4756
E-mail: tshidae@sacr.fs.gov.za
Source: Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation
