By Paula O.M.Otukile
Gaborone, Botswana
Correspondence
Francistown International Book Festival is an event that brings various authors, illustrators, publishers, book consultants and book supporting stakeholders and readers, as well as libraries and Universities and schools to celebrate book in Francistown city.
On the 8th April 2024 the ever amazing woman Dr Paula O.M. Otukile founded Francistown International Book festival which was held in Francistown city which is the second city of Botswana.
The main objective is said to be to form networks amongst African authors and to promote reading culture in the second city of Francistown and make books more appealing to the people in the north.
Francistown is the hub of business and more developments but a reading progress and programs are vital in this city.
Francistown International Book Festival is bringing back book club initiative that goes with the modern times, which includes virtual presentation and readings from 8th March 2025.
The book club reading initiative shall start with a Setswana book by Lorato Moalosi called Letlharapa la Modisa and an English called Dawn will break by Gaolatlhe Wame Setsile Srinath. Those who are interested shall join on google meet and the synopsis of the books shall be shared during the cause of the month.
Dr Otukile mentioned a brief awakening on the Facebook page of the festival as she’s shared the initiative which means people are hungry to be included in the book reading initiative.
Dr Otukile further mentioned that a book club shall bring the people together and improve the vocabulary as well as possible togetherness that readers shall enjoy.
The book club is the continuation of the national book club initiative of Read Africa Bala “RAB” that the founder has made last year by encouraging the leadership book club reading in various areas in the country.
The students are invited too and anyone is welcome but it is important for students to have a timetable and not to mix up their schedules.
Teachers are encouraged too to be part of the book club and to encourage students to participate in the book clubs as it is great foundation to the love of reading voluntarily.
The pending question is can any further International people be part of this? The answer is that, yes except for Setswana book, there is no limitation on who can be part of our book club initiative said Dr Otukile.
Dr Otukile said in case there was a crowd there shall be groups to ease up on facilitating and leaders shall oversee as there was book club leader course or training in place for leadership and many have taken the course last year.
In conclusion Dr Otukile said the book club initiative must not be taken lightly as it is a build up to the upcoming event and it shall strengthen the outlook of the Francistown International Book Festival.
Mt Kenya Times