With the launch of their books set in the sometimes harsh realities of South Africa, two academics from the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) are contributing to national memory while preserving knowledge for a more just future.
Held on 9 May at the Protea Hotel in Mahikeng, the launch took place during National Archives Awareness Week, the theme of which was “Archives for justice: rights, memory and futures”.
Representatives from government, archives institutions, the heritage sector, academia and researchers gathered to reflect on the importance of archives, literature and knowledge preservation in South Africa’s democratic and cultural life.
“Books, records and archives remain among the most important instruments through which societies preserve knowledge, transmit memory and build informed citizens,” said Peace Mabe, deputy minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, in the opening address. “A country that values reading and documentation strengthens its capacity to understand itself, reflect critically and plan with greater confidence for the future.”
Both books help make sense of a problematic world
The programme featured the book launch of Dark Leaves by Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe, deputy dean for teaching and learning in the Faculty of Humanities at the NWU, and Vuloyimuni: How research on hostels, housing and intergovernmental relations took me to my roots by Dr Salphinah Ubisi, a lecturer in the subject group Public Administration and Local Government.
Prof Motsaathebe described Dark Leaves as a detective and thriller novel exploring themes of migration, displacement and self-discovery through the experiences of a teenage protagonist travelling across Southern Africa.
“This novel is a story about the problematic world that we live in,” he said. “It follows a young man on a journey of self-discovery from his home village in South Africa across the border into Zimbabwe and eventually Namibia.”
Unpacking her book Vuloyimuni, Dr Ubisi reflected on identity, language and indigenous knowledge systems. She explained that the title is rooted in her name and cultural identity, and that the book was inspired by her personal life journey.
“I started by selling old clothes to fund my education because of financial difficulties. The hardships and experiences I went through are captured in the book,” she said.
Through their books, South Africa’s literary archive has just become richer.
Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe with his book, Dark Leaves
Dr Salphinah Ubisi with her book, Vuloyimuni: How research on hostels, housing and intergovernmental relations took me to my roots
