The Mt Kenya Times 
Dr Paula O.M.Otukile, Founder Mulher Forte African Literature & Francistown International Book Festival
By: Dr Paula O.M. Otukile
Gaborone, Botswana
Stand up for your craft author. Do not let lower sales kill your spirit. The information you share is of great importance. Make a reservation for yourself to be present and visible.
There are numerous improvements this year as we have seen 100 Setswana books being launched at University of South Africa widely known as UNISA. The South African book fraternity is solid and growing as the beginning of the year we saw Cape flats Literary awards at Gordon’s bay, and later on early December the Eastern cape Literary awards were pioneered too. July can’t be a good month without Mrs Anthea Thyssen Ambursely’s Global AfriCAN honoree awards.
We are so proud of Nalibali foundation, the South African arts council for pushing the creatives beyond the horizons and sponsoring if not partnering with their local authors to attend International book festivals.
Zimbabwe hosted their book festival too, and the likes of prominent book writers such as Mbizo wa Chirisha, are blossoming, the likes of Fungayi Jayaguru, the ever winning Dr Mejory Chipato continue to do well.
We are so grateful for the big events from Zambia too, the Zambia Africa Zikomo awards are gaining prominence and their Shinning star Africa awards are events to look forward to.
South Sudan is coming up strong with the School of thoughts university named Tukul school that helps authors to grow daily through virtual interactions.
Uganda continue to have a revolution of young people who want to make a change, the likes of Daniel Tusiimukye K’abaasa, for iconic publications and the ever grinding Taban el Tablaaz are cementing the literature foundation where it must be and many others.
Kenya saw the emergence of Alexander Nderitu prize by the great author, Alex Nderitu and it includes all the African authors who were interested in showcasing their talent.
We might have closed some people and events out without mentioning them, but it is apparent that that Africa’s ink is getting more braver and permanent, as Ikonne Kelvin from Nigeria has transformed his stories to audio this season, making it possible to translate books into small screens, this is a great indication and a step to follow by many book makers.
We send a shoutout and invitation to the stakeholders and those that might be interested in being part of the 2025 Francistown international Book festival which is likely to occur in May 2025.
A blessed year and a great year ahead in order to continue our great projects.
Merry Christmas and happy new year.
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About the Author
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