VUYISWA NODADA | Stepchild, back seat and emergency lane

In my writing journey of 18 years, I learnt it is imperative for a writer to be empowered, not only in writerly acumen but holistically with a degree of versatility and bravery.

I believe these are essential traits that make protest poetry writers, activists and dissident voices impactful. Beyond using one's writing talents to educate, inform, entertain, unlearn, question, inspire a paradigm shift, transform lives for the better and all the other duties a writer is called to do, I believe the most noble is to fight against any form of injustice and inequality.

In the global south, there stands a country so far removed from us geographically yet so closely drawn to us by cords of cultural relations.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela invited the government of South Africa to be the guest of honour during their 20th International Book Fair (FILVEN 2024), which took place in July over two weeks.

I am indebted to NWASA because, through its fraternity, I was one of the delegates who formed the team of literary ambassadors to represent South Africa in that very literate land.

Venezuela, albeit a third-world country with seriously impoverished pockets of societies, boasts a high literacy rate and a much coveted vibrant reading culture. Needless to add to the scales South Africa's literacy rankings since it has been echoed in many official reports that we are found wanting.

In my observation, one of the key factors that sustains the impetus for their success is that the Venezuelan government rallies behind literary projects. For instance, at the FILVEN 2024, the country’s president and his ministers were scheduled to grace the book fair opening ceremony.

That gesture alone, at a psychological level, gives weight to the importance of books and their value chain in the minds of citizens and the consciousness of the nation.

As if that was not enough, their minister and deputy minister in the office of arts and culture featured in the book fair.

Over and above that their television and radio did live broadcasts every day unlike ours that seem to be focused on literary artists with celebrity status. My South African colleagues and I were solicited to give TV and radio interviews.

Also, their local authors were afforded high respect and prestige. I marvelled at the accolades and honour Benito Yrady, the FILVEN 2024 honoured author, was showered with.

His government went all out. Juxtapose that experience to our country South Africa. The ‘seemingly’ unequal manner in which our government for decades past, supports sports practitioners more than arts and culture workers leaves much to be desired.

Furthermore, even within the umbrella of arts and culture, you experience animal farm vibes: “some animals are more equal than others” the gaps are glaring. Some literary artists know how it feels to be a Cinderella (“seen as less than, by others”) in comparison to other art practitioners in other art forms.

I have also heard great seasoned writers and great government officials in the languages and literature sector lament “step child” treatment compared to their professional counterparts. The outcry against “tick box” exercise or an “emergency lane” usage still rages.

This perception, derived from lived experiences, was demonstrated recently at a national literary event at the 14th annual Funda Mzantsi Championship opening ceremony which I attended with fellow champions in my Community Book Club. It was disappointing not to see the minister of sports, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie or his deputy minister.

Another case in point, which I interpret as a missed opportunity, is how our minister treated the invitation to his office by the Venezuelan embassy . I hoped that McKenzie, an author himself, would embark on steps to elevate the literary industry to glorious heights and to harvest low-hanging fruit.

Sadly, on the contrary, seen trending on social media in July was our minister’s post: “The second group of South African writers arrived in Turkey en route to Venezuela, I removed myself and a few officials from the list to make space for more writers & this is how things will be going forward at [the] department of sports, arts and culture.”

However, on the other hand, the literary sector has experienced pockets of support and breakthroughs. I found myself feeling nostalgic about the mid to late two-thousands in which, I witnessed pockets of glory, moral support, excellence and a minister who was so hands on, so in proximity to authors, very gifted with intellect, eloquence, gravitas, a visionary, a son of authors, AC Jordan and Phyllis Ntantala Jordan, who probably was familiar with the “craziness and calling” elements “inkenqe” that drive creatives.

Even so, Pallo Jordan’s tenure never eradicated the “step child” syndrome. On a lighter note, it has always been great to see the OR Tambo International Airport abuzz with the presence of ministers, the national television crew, excited crowds beaming with pride to welcome a singer, a boxer, footballers, rugby players, a runner and the likes who represented the country well but has the same measure of pomp ever been shown to appreciate a literary artist or delegations?

Nevertheless, the Bosberaad that took place on August 29 and 30 with the DSAC ministry led by McKenzie sparked hope and sounded like music to my despondent heart.

Also, in October, the passion and the spirit of fairness and equity, the jovial McKenzie in which he delivered “the fresh from the oven” CCI master plan and funding model is the proverbial breath of fresh air.

This leap towards the right direction hoists our beloved minister to the prince’s stallion in shining armour to save the day. Let me sign off with a prayer for blessings in the signature of usisi Noxolo Grootboom: “Mabudede ubumnyama kuvele ukukhanya, makubenjalo, kube chosi, kube hele!”