By Saul Molobi
During its Inaugural National General Council in March 2021, the National Writers Association of South Africa (NWASA) awarded different Awards to deserving recipients. Among them was Sibahle Madliwa, a “tweenager” (a concept as coined by neuromarketer, Martin Lindstrom) author aged thirteen, who was awarded the Rising Star Award for her book, Piki in Fegypt. Furthermore, she was acknowledged as the youngest member of the NWASA.
At a special event held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton on Sunday, 10 October 2021, Abdul Mogale, President of the NWASA, took the advantage of the school holiday break to present Sibahle Madliwa with her long overdue certificate for the Rising Star Award.
The President was accompanied by Saul Molobi, NWASA’s Spokesperson and Head of Cultural Diplomacy and Strategic Alliances. Also present were Sibahle’s publisher, Ms Rose Ssali, CEO of Ssali Publishing House.
The occasion was graced by Sibahle’s elated mother, Thando Madliwa, friends and several young children who see a beautiful role model in Sibahle. The event took place right after the church service at Church in Sandton, led by Apostle Sam Fidelis who blessed Sibahle for using her talent to send a powerful message on climate change to the world.
In her own message to parents, Sibahle’s mom urged other parents to encourage their children to read and write. She shared the fact that her daughter wrote Piki in Fegypt when she was only nine years old. This was her second manuscript although she has not yet published the first one. Her next manuscript is now ready to be sent to her publisher and the cash award of R5 000.00 from NWASA will contribute towards covering some of the publishing services costs thereof.
The NWASA President called on well-wishers to support Sibahle with the publishing of her new book and the purchasing of a laptop which are estimated at R30 000.00. Ssali Publishing House has committed to make a generous contribution of 25% discount on the cost of the publishing services the company will provide.
This is one of the emerging trend in Africa’s publishing circles in which authors carry the entire cost of the bouquet of publishing services provided by independent publishers so that they could take full ownership of the copyright on their materials – these include such subsidiary rights as adaptations into cartoon strips, film and music – and the publishing value chain covering also marketing, warehousing and direct sales.
This trend first emerged in South Africa in the 1990s in the music industry when young musicians established independent record labels such as Arthur Mafokate’s 999 Music Studio and Don Laka’s partnership with Oscar Mdlongwa, Mandla “Spikiri” Mofokeng and a few others to establish Kalawa Jazzmee – which since recorded music legends such Hugh Masekela.
Following the trend alluded to above as established by musicians in establishing independent record labels, the publishing industry has also seen the emergence of independent progressive publishing companies disrupting the status quo. These company provide services to the authors supporting them in publishing their works over which the authors retain full copyright. Though not comprehensive, these independents include Ssali Publishing House, Brandhill Africa and Timbila.
“This is a remarkable step undertaken by authors to challenge the traditional publishing establishment that has historically benefited publishers and book distributors at the cost of authors,” said President Mogale. “We now have bookshops that even claim up to 65% commission rate on every book sale. Authorship has to provide livelihood and nit just benefit those providing support mechanisms in the industry such as publishers, distributors and retailers. Direct sales by authors also mean the prices of books will be drastically reduced and therefore benefiting consumers and thus contributing to a culture of reading among our people.”
NWASA’s President has a special mission to see one hundred writers under the age of 16 years published, and to establish libraries in rural villages during his three-year tenure, as announced during his Inaugural Address earlier this year.
For further engagement and/or to partner with this worthy cause, please contact NWASA’s President at abdul.mogale@nwasa.org, lebogang.nawa@nwasa.org or at the details provided below.
