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IOL News
4 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Honouring Indian women's invisible labour in apartheid South Africa
dfdfd Image: Nanda Soobben BEHIND every economic revolution lies a story the textbooks forgot. In South Africa, while apartheid carved visible scars through its legislations and violent removals, it also built invisible prisons, especially for women. Among the most underacknowledged survivors and strategists of this era were Indian women, who carved out informal economies not in boardrooms or factory floors, but in kitchens, sewing rooms, and prayer spaces. These were not just homes. They were micro-enterprises. Schools. Sanctuaries. Sites of survival. These spaces were not just adapted, they were reclaimed. Lounges transformed into offices, dining tables into assembly lines, and courtyards into informal marketplaces. Every corner of the home became a canvas for ingenuity. These were acts of transformation, where women turned scarcity into a strategic advantage. With minimal resources and maximum resilience, they blurred the lines between private and public, domestic and professional, creating hybrid spaces that sustained families and inspired communities. When the apartheid government pushed Indian families to the peripheries through the Group Areas Act, they didn't merely steal land; they disrupted livelihoods, dismembered communities, and erased dignity. But Indian women, many descended from indentured labourers brought to Natal in the late 1800s, didn't vanish into helplessness. Instead, they quietly built something powerful: hidden economies grounded in care, skill, and resistance. Let us be clear. These were not hobbies. These were not side hustles. Sewing saris, catering for weddings, tutoring children; these were not just acts of domestic kindness. They were sophisticated systems of economic survival and cultural resistance. But history rarely honours women who make roti instead of speeches, who organise savings circles instead of strikes. Yet, they too resisted. And perhaps more enduringly so. In apartheid South Africa, employment opportunities for Indian women were not just scarce; they were systemically denied. The state and society often labelled them 'dependents,' passive members of a male-led economy. Nothing could be further from the truth. With formal employment blocked by racism and patriarchy, women transformed their homes into entrepreneurial laboratories. They built economies that worked not on contracts or profits, but on trust, reciprocity, and an ethic of collective care. Sari tailoring became a form of economic and cultural resistance. With each pleat sewn, women preserved heritage and taught daughters pride. Catering businesses sprouted in kitchens where biryani was not just food, but also a memory, a source of dignity, and a down payment on school fees or groceries. Informal tutoring emerged from a refusal to let children fail simply because they lived far from 'better' schools. Lounges turned into classrooms, and Indian women taught not only literacy but hope. And we must urgently redefine what leadership means. Leadership is not always visible. It is not always loud. Sometimes, leadership is the ability to hold a family together during displacement, to ensure a neighbour's child eats when food is scarce, to stitch dignity into every hem. These are not exceptions; they are blueprints for a different kind of economy. These women understood leadership differently, not as a status or title, but as the ability to uplift others through consistency, compassion, and a shared purpose. Take Aunty Fatima, who ran a secret classroom in her living room when schools shut down. Or Aunty Gita, who stitched uniforms by candlelight to feed her children and trained others to do the same. These women led without titles, inspired without applause, and survived without recognition. They were economists, teachers, psychologists, and leaders rolled into one. Their leadership was not in commanding a crowd, but in sustaining one. Their labour was often dismissed as 'helping out' or 'making a bit of extra cash.' But this rhetoric, casual and careless, contributed to a wider erasure. It justified why they never appeared in GDP calculations or employment statistics. Why did the government policy ignore them? Why did their children, even today, not fully grasp the complexity of their mothers' enterprise? But their stories live on, in oral histories, in recipes passed down, in stitched hems and balanced books. They live on in daughters who became accountants, professors, caterers, and seamstresses, professionalising what their mothers did with no formal recognition. They live on in the resilience we now applaud, forgetting the women who modelled it long before we coined the term. The truth is: economic history has long treated the informal as inferior. But informality is not failure. It is adaptation. It is resistance. And it is deeply gendered. Feminist economists, such as Marilyn Waring, have long argued that what we call 'the economy' is a fiction. This system counts what (mostly) men do in offices and factories but ignores what (mostly) women do in homes and communities. This fiction is why women like those in South Africa's Indian communities were and remain left out of the economic archive. Their unpaid labour underwrote the very survival of generations. Yet, in the eyes of the state, they never worked a day. But they did. Every day. And often into the night. This omission in economic records isn't just about numbers; it's about historical justice. When we exclude women's unpaid labour, we erase the very engine that kept communities alive during apartheid's cruellest decades. These women not only supported households, but they also shaped generational outcomes. Their work laid the groundwork for the scaffolding upon which modern professional and academic success stories stand. Their erasure reflects not oversight, but a systemic refusal to value relational economies. They managed to make ends meet with what they had. They built networks of care when formal structures failed. They trained daughters not only in recipes but in resilience, not only in stitching but in self-worth. They taught economics before the textbooks arrived. That is work. That is leadership. That is as we grapple with what an inclusive, post-apartheid economy should look like, we must confront this omission. Not merely to honour the past, but to reimagine the future. South Africa's development strategies cannot afford to overlook relational labour, care economies, and grassroots entrepreneurship. And education systems must teach the history of women whose wisdom, grit, and enterprise have quietly, powerfully stitched the social fabric together. The narrative of Indian women in apartheid South Africa isn't a footnote to resistance history; it is the missing chapter. It is time to write it in. Because they were never 'helping out.' They were holding up their families, their homes, and their communities. Dr Aradhana Ramnund-Mansingh Image: Supplied Dr Aradhana Ramnund-Mansingh: Manager School of Business MANCOSA, Empowerment Coach for Women, and former HR Executive ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Healing the wounds of the July 2021 unrest: a path to unity and reconciliation
In a bid to promote peace, cartoonist Nanda Soobben painted this peace mural in Chatsworth after the July unrest to promote social cohesion. On the 4th anniversary of the July 2021 unrest, RAVI PILLAY explores the ongoing challenges of nation building in South Africa, the need for unity, and the importance of the National Dialogue in healing our communities 'TOWARDS Nation Building' is the title of a comprehensive submission that some of us made to the Human Rights Commission at its national investigative hearing into the July 2021 unrest. As we approach the 4th anniversary of this most traumatic period in our democratic era, we have to confront the reality that we have not moved forward towards nation building. At best we have treaded water. Many will argue that we have regressed. I remain convinced that there is an overwhelming body of goodwill among the majority of our people who are ready to support any credible effort towards unity and nation building. Yet there remains this wound that has not healed and which without care, may fester. Some 350 people died. Their families need closure. The issues are complex and difficult. I am inspired by the potential of the National Dialogue. It is the first opportunity since the Freedom Charter in 1955 (it is the 70th anniversary this year) and the adoption of our Constitution in 1996, for a grass-roots, people driven conversation and a new, substantially national, consensus and direction. The July 2021 unrest could be one important part of the conversation, especially in our province of KwaZulu-Natal. Our submission to the HRC was comprehensive. It is useful to recall a few salient aspects: We remain deeply committed to the building of a united, non-racial society and entrenching the values espoused in our Constitution - 'heal the divisions of our past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights'. We cannot avoid the characterisation of the unrest as an "attempted insurrection" which included: incitement primarily through an intensive social media campaign; mobilisation by highlighting grievances relating to poverty and unemployment; incentivising by using money to instigate as documented; and organising through the use of "advance teams" who would break into identified targets creating access for others to loot, and then setting fire to property in a manner designed to cause maximum damage. One security expert suggested that the organized objective was to provoke an over-reaction from security forces leading to mass deaths which in turn lead to a mass uprising leading to a collapse of the state. The economic damage was devastating and calculated at R50 billion. Not many knew that we were 48 hours away from a full-blown food crisis. Fuel trucks were unable to refuel petrol stations. Delivery trucks were unable to reach retailers – the shelves were empty. It took an extraordinary effort to restore fuel supplies, secure the roads and replenish supplies in time. The submission also reflects on corruption and the culture of impunity that had developed leading to the type of complete lawlessness that was witnessed. The role of the police, the intelligence services and lack of coordination until the SANDF was deployed, and delayed at that. At least 350 people died. Initially all of these deaths were attributed to the Phoenix area until it was clarified that the Phoenix mortuary served a very large area beyond Phoenix. It was finally assessed that 36 deaths occurred in the Phoenix area. But the damage had been done. Phoenix became the focus area and it was alleged that the deaths were racially motivated. The narrative held. Rational analysis became impossible. Others asked: did the killings cause the unrest? Or, did the unrest cause the killings? We must refuse to be stereotyped whichever community we may hail from. The Human Rights Commission subsequently produced a report that made various credible findings and recommendations and does not use the highly provocative term 'massacre'. The Commission for Religious and Linguistic Rights produced a 'report' that consisted of some 21 slides. Despite repeated requests it was only some two weeks ago on June 25, 2025, that we were provided with a full report. Notwithstanding very grave reservations, patriotic South Africans must be committed to working with our chapter 9 institutions and all stakeholders to implement the many progressive recommendations that have emerged. However, progress has been slow. Prosecutions have been few and far between. The main instigators still escape accountability. This has to be challenged. It is very important to record that the submission to the HRC includes inter alia the following: '. . . we too are outraged and appalled by the brutality of the violence that marked several of the incidents. We condemn the perpetrators who carried out these vicious acts, without qualification …' Our humanity demands that we recognise those innocent people who were victims of the violence and that there is pain and suffering which endures until today. There are individuals and families who need closure. The Human Rights Commission and Commission for Religious and Linguistic Rights are jointly embarking on a process that seeks to bring this closure. It is a process that raises many difficult issues but the intention is in good faith and seeks to bring communities together and promote reconciliation. However not enough groundwork has been done. The commissions understand this and therefore resolved that on this anniversary they cannot go beyond launching the process. We await announcements in this regard. While experts in these social processes will be essential, it is clear that this initiative cannot succeed without the active participation of community organizations and leaders. Religious leaders in particular have a special role to play. Finally, as we reflect on this 4th anniversary, and in anticipation of the National Dialogue, we must draw a distinction between the very important soft issues of humanity or Ubuntu, religion, culture, language and sport on the one hand, and economic inequality on the other. We must resist those who seek to infuse a toxic overlap between race and inequality. An economic growth and development vision that is fair and just for all becomes fundamental to a sustainable future for all South Africans.
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Does long-term peace have a chance in the Israeli-Iranian conflict?
Nanda Soobben's take on the conflict. Image: Nanda Soobben AFTER nearly two weeks of exchanging airstrikes, Israel and Iran have agreed to the ceasefire that was brokered by Qatar and the United States. The US president, Donald Trump, confirmed early Tuesday that the ceasefire was now 'in effect', even though confusion remains over the precise details. The war started when Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on June 13 in what the Israeli Prime Minister said was an operation geared towards preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The conflict between Israel and the post-1979 regime in Iran is as inevitable as day after night. The decades-old tit-for-tat between the two countries has been getting out of control in recent months. Before the ceasefire, the war was threatening the stability of the entire Middle East, and its ripple effects were already felt across the globe. Iran is the third-largest producer of oil within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). What this means is that its involvement in the war against Israel and the United States is highly likely to affect the price of oil. The direct involvement of the United States saw Iran target the US military base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation. Iran cannot rely on states such as Syria in the region to support it other than what is left of its proxies. However, Hezbollah in Lebanon has been severely weakened, and the Houthis in Yemen appear to have been neutralized. With Russia busy fighting Ukraine and the Assad family no longer in control of Syria, Iran cannot count on countries to defend it from Israeli and American aggression. The American political scientist, Samuel P Huntington, predicted in 1996 that the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world would no longer be ideologically based, but cultural, or what he termed the 'Clash of Civilizations.' The conflict between Israel and Iran is the epitome of this clash The question now is: What is it going to take for lasting peace to prevail between these two sworn enemies? As the conflict escalates, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the U. S. President, Donald Trump, appear to lean more towards incapacitating Iran and forcing it to negotiate a nuclear deal from a position of weakness. This seems to be Trump's and Netanyahu's way of achieving peace through strength. Israel and the US are also contemplating the idea of effecting a regime change in Iran. The US involvement in Iranian politics dates back to 1953, when the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) sponsored a coup that overthrew a democratically elected government and replaced it with a pro-US monarchical government led by Shah Pahlavi. What the hardline stance and aggression towards Iran reveal, then, is that, besides preventing it from becoming a nuclear threat, the US and Israel harbour the intentions of replacing a hostile government in Tehran with a government that is friendly towards Israel and the West. Iran has become almost the only country in the Middle East that Israel sees as a real threat to its existence. President Trump recently visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. All three Arab governments have friendly relations with the US and, by extension, are no longer hostile towards Israel. While on his recent state visit to the Middle East, Trump also met with the new Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking a reset of the relations between the two countries. With the US actively engaged in isolating Iran, none of its neighbouring states are expected to come to its rescue. The diplomatic isolation of Iran leaves Israel and the US not having to worry about another state defending Iran. This is perhaps what Von Clausewitz had in mind when he remarked that 'war is the continuation of politics by other means.' Von Clausewitz had observed that, as one aspect of political intercourse, war or a 'military' solution could not merely be a political act but a real political instrument to accomplish political ends. The end here is the peaceful coexistence of the Jewish state of Israel alongside its Muslim neighbours. Ironically, in political language, the description of a solution to a political problem is referred to as a political solution. A political solution implies peaceful debate and arbitration as opposed to what is often called a military solution. After the recent nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran collapsed, Israel took a unilateral decision to attack Iran and target its nuclear infrastructure. Those attacks killed three senior Iranian military officers. By the way, Israel is also a nuclear power that has not been challenged or given approval for possessing nuclear weapons. Israel brazenly attacked Iran, knowing that it had the tacit approval of the West, in general, and the US, in particular. Israel and the Western governments have long feared that Iran is on the verge of becoming a nuclear power. As expected, the United States joined Israel in the bombing of suspected nuclear sites in Iran. The Jewish lobby in the US is very influential, and there was no way the US could have stood by and watched Iran launch missiles at Israel. For their part, Britain and the EU member states frantically tried to convince Iran to go back to the negotiating table and strike a nuclear deal with the US. Britain's foreign secretary, David Lammy, argued that 'now is the time to put a stop to the grave scenes in the Middle East and prevent a regional escalation that would benefit no one.' The West has made it clear it won't tolerate a nuclear power that is a sworn enemy of Israel. Last week, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations reminded the world that Iran's Supreme spiritual leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel. It is for this reason Lammy reasoned that, 'We are determined that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. However, one could argue that the Western nations have double standards for allowing Israel to possess nuclear weapons while denying Iran. The two countries traded deadly airstrikes before the ceasefire came into effect yesterday. The war has cost lives and caused massive damage to infrastructure in both countries. Last Saturday, the United States also launched airstrikes at Iran's three nuclear sites, which President Trump described as 'monumental' and a 'spectacular military success.' In the history of humankind, wars have never lasted forever. As the foreign ministers from Britain, the EU member states and Qatar engage with Iran's foreign minister, the world is holding its breath for a diplomatic solution that guarantees lasting and long-term peace. For decades, the Jewish state of Israel and the Islamic state of Iran have viewed each other as bitter foes, so much so that each views the other as an existential threat. This conflict dates back to the early 1980s, and the accusations from both sides are galore. Each side is making serious accusations about the other. Both countries accuse each other of harbouring genocidal intentions. This mutual suspicion is rooted in the deep hatred, lack of trust, hostile rhetoric from the leaders of both countries, and their brazen actions. Iran accuses Israel of conducting a genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and of unlawful political assassinations. In recent months, Israel claimed responsibility for the killings of Hamas' leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran after attending the inauguration of Iran's president, which Iran viewed as a violation of its sovereignty and an act of aggression against its guest. Nasrallah was assassinated in Lebanon. Israel accuses Iran of being a threat not only to the Jewish state but also to the stability of the entire Middle East. Israel blames Iran for sponsoring terrorism. Israel and its close ally, the United States, accuse Iran of supporting and funding what they view as terrorist organizations, that is, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza. When the dust settles, it will become obvious why Israel and the United States are attacking Iran. The main objective is to weaken Iran with the aim of forcing a regime change and establishing a new regime that will never pose any existential threat to the Jewish state of Israel. What Iran is going through is almost a case of déjà vu. Back in the early 2000s, the US attacked Iraq because of suspicions that it possessed weapons of mass destruction. To date, no weapons of mass destruction have been found. The sole intent of the invasion of Iraq was to effect a regime change. Zakhele Collison Ndlovu Image: File
IOL News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
National Dialogue 2. 0… the last throw of the dice?
A cartoon by award-winning, Nanda Soobben Image: Nanda Soobben IT IS A common cause that 31 years since the formal demise of apartheid, the promises, great expectations and dreams of democracy are rapidly turning into horrific nightmares for the poor and disadvantaged. At the same time (new and old) elites rule the roost. Socio-economic and spatial inequalities of the apartheid era widened, while the politically-connected continued to accumulate wealth and power at the expense of the poor. Crime and corruption escalate exponentially and are inextricably connected to political elites, global mafia operations of every genre magnetically gravitate to our country, and gender-based violence is a pandemic. South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world (33%), especially among young adults. The poor have inadequate access to essential services like water, electricity, health care and basic education. Many of these challenges were aggravated by state capture. As highlighted by the Zondo Commission, state capture in South Africa involved the systematic and deliberate subversion of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) for private gain. State capture eroded good governance practices within SOEs and government departments (including law enforcement and intelligence services), decreasing operational performance and effectiveness. This entailed influencing appointments, procurement procedures, governance, and institutional structures to favour specific individuals and organisations. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Key SOEs like Eskom, Transnet, and South African Airways were significantly impacted by state capture, with subsequent multiplier effects on all aspects of South African life, destroying the economy. All these problems and challenges were aggravated during the hegemonic rule and reign of one political party, the ANC. Not surprisingly, some of its senior members were implicated in the State Capture report. Still, no one has yet been convicted because of the hollowing out of capacity in the National Prosecuting Authority. When he was firmly ensconced on the throne, Jacob Zuma repeatedly said that the "ANC will rule until Jesus returns". However, there were some obvious indications that the ANC was haemorrhaging, for example, in the 2021 Local Government Elections, it received 45.59% of the vote. In the May 2024 General Elections, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority, winning 40.18% of the vote. Ironically, Zuma's newly-established uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party (while he still claimed to be a disciplined member of the ANC) eroded the support of the ANC, winning 14.58% of the vote. The notion of a National Dialogue entered the public domain against the background of the ANC's declining electoral support. Former president Thabo Mbeki initially proposed a national dialogue in May 2024, where he called for 'seismic reflections". This was endorsed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who in his inauguration address after the May 2024 national elections, invited 'all parties, civil society, labour, business and other formations to a national dialogue on the critical challenges facing the nation'. President Ramaphosa said: 'By establishing the government of national unity, by preparing for a national dialogue, we have deliberately set ourselves along the path towards a 'co-operation nation.' We would like all of us as South Africans to behave like 'weaver birds'... despite all the challenges, despite our differences, despite all the headwinds.' There is a view that ruling elites have frequently utilised national dialogues to obtain or regain political legitimacy. According to the Geneva-based Inclusive Peace and Transition Initiative: 'National Dialogues are typically convened when the fundamental nature or survival of a government in power is questioned. Thus, they usually intend to redefine the relationship between the state, political actors, and society by negotiating a new social contract.' A national dialogue can be used for peacebuilding and reconciliation to increase confidence and trust amongst national actors, encourage inclusive engagement, and advance agreement on critical social, political, and economic challenges. The "National Dialogue Handbook" defines national dialogues as: 'nationally owned political processes aimed at generating consensus among a broad range of national stakeholders in times of deep political crisis, in post-war situations or during far-reaching political transitions.' The goal is for national leaders (political, business, religious, civil society, sports, etc.) across the ideological spectrum to debate, discuss and encourage inclusive engagement and advance agreement on significant social, political, and economic challenges. It is worth noting that the first National Dialogue was the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), which took place in Johannesburg in December 1991. It was a critical step in the process of transitioning South Africa from apartheid to a democratic state. Nineteen political organisations participated, including the ruling National Party and the dominant African National Congress (ANC), comprising 228 delegates. Key aspects of CODESA included signing a "Declaration of Intent" committing to negotiations and creating a new, democratic constitution. The parties agreed on the principles of a unified, democratic, and non-racial South Africa, with a supreme constitution and an independent judiciary. CODESA established the foundation for negotiations for a democratic South Africa. While there were many disagreements, CODESA was a crucial step in the process of dismantling apartheid and building a new nation. The procedure was sufficiently adaptable to permit the creation of new forums and committees and modifications to existing ones based on political South Africa's transition from apartheid proceeded (with all its twists and turns), a Multi-Party Negotiating Process (MPNP) was established in March 1993, culminating in the adoption of an interim Constitution and preparations for the country's first non-racial elections. Parties with opposing views had to make substantial concessions during this process. Given the protracted conflict and violent past, the comparatively quiet and orderly democratic transition was praised globally as a miracle. Essential outcomes from the first National Dialogue were the RDP and the Constitution. The National Development Plan (NDP), which presented a long-term vision and goals for South Africa to achieve by 2030, was released in 2012. All three documents can influence outcomes in the National Dialogue 2.0. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Almost a year since it was initially proposed, on June 10, 2025, Ramaphosa released the names of the Eminent Persons Group to 'guide and champion the National Dialogue.' All the problems in South Africa cannot be solved by national dialogues alone. For a national dialogue to be successful, several challenges must be addressed, including political actors' opposition and resistance to change, a lack of support from groups, persistent violence, crime, corruption, instability, and a lack of inclusivity. The National Dialogue 2.0 should not be about saving the ANC. It is about saving our country. All stakeholders must put their shoulders to the wheel, rise above personal, parochial, and party interests, and put South Africa first. In many respects, National Dialogue 2.0 may well be the last throw of the dice. Brij Maharaj Image: File
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Glenwood Book Fair attracts scores of visitors
THE inaugural Glenwood Book Fair is the talk of the town with organisers and visitors still buzzing about the success of the event that was held at the Phansi Museum from May 29 to 31. The Glenwood fair was organised by Micromega Publications, the organiser of the Durban International Book Fair, and it drew crowds of over 500 people, including vendors and authors. Anivesh Singh, the organiser, said visitors came from as far afield as Gqeberha, Johannesburg, Chile, and Canada to browse through countless amounts of literature and witness the launch of several books. 'One of the highlights of the event was the standing-room-only launch of Shut Your Pothole, the latest collection of political cartoons by the acclaimed Dr Nanda Soobben. Equally well-received was the launch of Healing Ink, an anthology of poetry written by youth,' said Singh. Also Read: Healing Ink calls for poetry submissions The fair coincided with the birthday of Dr Paul Mikula, founder of the Phansi Museum, who was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Durban International Book Fair in 2023. Among those who launched their books was Gordon Michael. His children's book, Admiral, tells the tale of Durban's most famous tortoise, how he ended up at Mitchell Park, and how he got his name. He was in great company as the editor of Healing Ink, 19-year-old Sarada Naidoo, flew in from Gauteng to be part of an interactive session with some of the young contributors reading their poems in public for the first time. The theme for the Glenwood Book Fair was 'Bibliotherapy – healing through writing' which suited Healing Ink, an anthology of poetry by youth on mental health. 'The book has a lot of voices that talk about mental health and their personal struggles. I was inspired to focus on mental health because I have been through a lot of issues myself. I struggled to express myself and used my poetry as an outlet. It was not meant to be published but I hope it serves the purpose, to heal and help whoever needs it,' said Naidoo. With vendors, authors, publishers and visitors singing the praises of the inaugural event, the organisers expressed hope that the Glenwood Book Fair will grow to rival the Grahamstown Arts Festival, with future editions expanding into events and activations throughout the Glenwood area. For more information or to find out about upcoming events, contact Anivesh Singh on anivesh@ For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
