Multilingual educational book launched at Bergtheil Museum
Messy Matters by Mary Lange is full-colour A4-size book, which includes original poems, teasing rhymes and plays, and striking watercolour illustrations by Kathlyn-Sue Allan was launched with performances of extracts from the book.
IT was a joyous evening celebrating local talent at the Bergtheil Museum Westville, when the book, Messy Matters by Dr Mary Lange, and published by Tormentosa, was launched on March 15.
Messy Matters includes original poems, teasing rhymes and plays written by Lange.
This multilingual book, which includes English, isiZulu, Afrikaans and Nama, was funded by the National Arts Council, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
Lange said the collaborative project included Nomusa Mabaso of Mariannhill translating selected texts into isiZulu and UKZN lecturer Luthando Ngema proofreading the isiZulu. KhoeSan specialist Pedro Dâusab from Vredenburg translated sections into Nama and Afrikaans, and Prof Roger Fisher edited the English text.
“The creative book appeals to ten- to fourteen-year-olds and includes endnotes and a context chapter aimed at drama, English and social science educators. However, Messy Matters is a beautiful book that appeals to all ages,” said the renowned author.
Saskia van Leeuwen laid out the full-colour A4-size book, and the striking narrative illustrations painted in watercolours were created by Kathlyn-Sue Allan (author and jeweller). Kathlyn-Sue also interwove images from the San Kalahari traditional healers and crafters, Izak and Lydia Lys Kruiper. Mohau Qalaza, Local History Museum curator, as the book-launch programme director, expertly linked the items together.
The evening started with a vibrant performance of extracts from the book by MeL‘s arts, culture and heritage performers, including Noluthando Shandu, Jabu Nxumalo and Mary Lange. Noluthando and Jabu are ARROWSA Bechet alumni and co-facilitate heritage programmes at the Bergtheil Museum and schools with Mary Lange.
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The performance had all 55 adults and children in the audience singing and moving. It was followed by young up-and-coming artists and translators – Kathlyn-Sue, Nomusa Mabaso and Saskia van Leeuwen – briefly reflecting on their role in the book and the positive experience it gave them all.
Bheki Dlamini then elaborated on his role as educator advisor and how inspired he was by the book and being a part of the process. Prof Lauren Dyll of CCMS, UKZN, then delivered a positive and supportive book review on Messy Matters which clarified the book’s intention, content and potential.
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Prof Dyll said, “Messy Matters appeals to more than the written literary and mathematical intelligences by providing exercises that engage learners’ other strengths, such as spatial, narrative and visual intelligences. Messy Matters eternalises, on paper, what Mary has devised and implemented in practice over the past 20 years. And it is a hands-on, beautifully curated guide on how to harness the creative, educational and uniting benefits of storytelling. We, therefore, need more publications like this. And as noted by the publisher, Schalk le Roux, at Tormentosa, ‘it matters!’
“The highlight of the evening was the handover of free copies of the book to educators who attended the event. The free books were part of the NAC funding but were subsidised by Mary and Prof Fisher. The educators were privileged to have the Deputy Chief Education Specialist, School Library Information Services, Pinetown District, Mrs Sikosana, and the Deputy Chief Education Specialist, Languages, Pinetown District, Mrs Nzimande, to hand over the books.”
Twenty-nine free copies of Messy Matters were handed over to educators from government and private schools, including Pinetown Junior and Senior and Berea West, Dawede, Maqadini and Resmount Primary, St Theresa’s and Maris Stella, and to facilitators and leaders of youth groups, such as Zanele MaNtombela Zuma of Girl-Child Education Advocacy and Jean Senogles of the Palmiet Nature Reserve Educational Programme.
The festive atmosphere of the event closed with delicious refreshments supplied by Shona Seetahal of Perfect Events in Berea West. Visitors to the event referred to it as inspiring hope for a bright future.
Four illustrations from Messy Matters were auctioned at the book launch to raise funds for the performers, Noluthando Shandu and Jabu Nxumalo, to perform in the UK as part of an exchange with MeL, ARROWSA and Indra Collective.
The four professionally framed large, high-quality colour prints went to the highest bidder of R6 000 for all four.
More one-off prints of other illustrations from Messy Matters are also available for bids, starting at R750, to assist Noluthando and Jabu in showcasing their talent internationally. To order prints or buy copies of Messy Matters at R250 per book, contact Mary on 082 652 7091.
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