On Friday 29 September 2023, an exhibition on the life and works of Sindiwe Magona opened at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature in Makhanda.
It was a joyous occasion. Magona, who has written numerous books, turned 80 earlier this year. She completed her PhD at age 79.
Mthunzikazi Mbungwana was the programme director.
The Kwantu Choir sang.
Crystal Warren welcomed everybody.
Magona recently donated her literary legacy to Amazwi. On the 29th, there was a symbolic handover to Thanduxulo Lungile, an Amazwi council member.
Akhona Bhodl’ingqaka Mafani sang Magona’s praises.
Magona rose to receive the words from him.
Magona was called to the stage for a conversation, but first she demonstrated that, at 80, she was still able to dance circles around the young academics.
Siphiwo Mahala, a celebrated author and academic, explained how important Magona’s work, and her activism for Xhosa, is. His own PhD was in English because that field of study had been available to him. He is encouraging Xhosa-speaking students to study in their mother tongue, though, and to write in Xhosa, just like Magona does. She writes in English and in Xhosa.
Magona responded by saying that writing in Xhosa is an act of defiance. We need to encourage our young people to study their home language and to study in their home language.
Mahala then presented Magona with a copy of Imbiza: Journal for African Writing, Volume 1, Issue 6 of August 2023, which features Magona on the cover.
Musawakhe Mazibuko read the vote of thanks.
Magona was asked to officially cut the ribbon at the doors leading to the exhibition.
Tom Jeffery, who curated the exhibition, explained the layout and composition of the exhibition.
Jeffery led Magona and others on a tour through the exhibition.
Afterwards, Magona walked around on her own.
Magona was presented with a birthday cake.
After lunch, the Masifunde Sonke reading programme was launched.
Ntsika Kitsili is the programme director.
The programme is a joint initiative between the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation and the Makhanda Collective.
Musa Ncwadi provided an overview of the project.
Elinor Sisulu explained the importance of the project. Reading for pleasure is vital; this project aims to help student teachers experience the joy of reading so that they can become reading ambassadors.
Anna Nkomo also spoke of the importance of getting students reading.
Anele Gobodwana from Rhodes University spoke to encourage reading.
Cathy Gush then handed over some of the books which will be used to encourage young readers to read.
Ntokozo Mbambo thanked the institutions on behalf of the students.
Analo Mantyonyela responded with a praise poem.
Sindiwe Magona then delivered an electrifying keynote address.
It is important for young African kids to thrive, she said, not merely to be okay. In order to thrive, kids have to learn to love books. They have to fall in love with books.
When should we start reading to our kids? While they are in the stomach, she says. Kids learn the rhythms and the pitches of language before they are born. Kids should learn to play with books. They should learn to associate books with their parents, and then they will mime what their parents do. At first, the kids will play-read their books; later, they will read. That is when kids fall in love with books, and that is when they will begin to thrive.
The exhibition will be open to the public for a number of months.