Author of The thing about Zola and I do… Don’t I, Zibu Sithole, launched her third book in the series: Love, Zola, on August 16 at the Melville-based bookstore, Book Circle Capital (BCC).
To her, this served as the perfect space to launch her book, because of how supportive BCC is to South African writers. “In bigger bookstores, the African section is a small corner right at the back. But here, we feel supported and see other authors. It’s a ‘for us, by us’ type of thing here.”
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For the launch, she invited everyone she knew, including her family. “My family has never been able to attend, so today I’m expecting them,” but with the weather being as temperamental as it was through the day, she feared a few may not attend. Thankfully, the weather held, and the event was well attended.
On the day, she was in conversation with literary activist and festival director Lorraine Sithole, who wrote a shout quote for her first book. “She has been so supportive of my journey, and knowledgeable too. She is such a huge contributor to the country’s literary space, and I’m so honoured to have the sort of access I have to her.” Sithole added that it’s such privilege to be able to work with people one has admired from afar.
Sewela Langeni, owner of BCC, said events like today are important, as they celebrate the talent and work that comes from the country. “For us, it’s a matter of curating that, celebrating it, and showing that we are a country full of stories.”
African writers, she says write about anything, from love and upbringings, to challenges, societal issues, and thrillers.
Langeni said the industry has broadened over the years. “When I first started, about seven years ago, we didn’t have as many books coming out as now. So, I think there is a demand for it and publishers are trying to tap into the market.”
BBC hosts about 50 launches in year, which include pop ups in various locations. These launches, for writers much like Sithole, are affirmations that their work is being seen, said Langeni. “Writing is a lonely process, and you can never be sure of how it’ll be received. Such an event is affirmation, that what you’re doing is worth it.”
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