Young writers were rewarded for their hard work in the JoLiFe writing competition, with laptops and cellphones handed out to the winners.

Acting director of the library and information services Atilla Lourens presents Nkosi Charity Mkone with her award for poetry in the category for 20 – 25 year-olds

YOU have to start somewhere to get somewhere, was the encouragement offered to young writers by author and poet Nokuthula Mazibuko.

She was speaking at the prize giving of the fourth annual Joburg Literary Festival, or JoLiFe, writing competition. Also at the function - held on Friday, 20 March at The Bassline in Newtown - to boost the young writers were poets Phumelelo Machika, Zoe Maphala and Winston Mohapi, who recited some of their works.

The theme for the 2008/2009 JoLiFe was Traditions I hold dear, inspired by Things Fall Apart, the seminal novel by Chinua Achebe, written in 1959.

"It's really encouraging to see young writers emerging like this," said Mazibuko.

"When I started writing, I used all the chances which were given to me just to show off my writing skills. Back then it wasn't easy because of the oppression; plus the facilities were scarce. We really had to work hard, but because I was determined I made it."

She said today's generation was lucky because they were able to use all facilities. "Now it's simple to for writers to establish a career in writing because the internet is widely used and it spreads through the whole world ... we have things like blogs and Facebook, and right there one can start exposing his or her writing skills."

Encouraging the youngsters, she added: "It doesn't matter where you start as long as you can get the recognition you want and also grow as a writer."

Mazibuko urged them to interact with other writers. "It's very important to mix with other writers so that you can learn something from them and boost your writing skills. Reading is also important."

An excited Atilla Lourens, the acting director of library and information services, congratulated the winners. "I'm so happy for all of you. You are young and talented. It just goes to show that South Africa [has] a bright future ahead."

She also handed out the prizes. JoLiFe had two categories - short story and poetry - divided into three age groups, 13 to 15 years, 16 to 19 years and 20 to 25 years. Winners in the poetry category received certificates and laptop computers; winners in the short story category received certificates and cellphones.

"I'm really proud of myself because already at my age, my writing skills are getting recognition - meaning by the time I turn 25 I'll be far with my career," said 20-year-old Winnie Mthimde.

Quiz winners
Prizes were also given to the winners in two other competitions run by the City's library and information services department, Battle of the Books and Story Skirmish.

Sbusiso Zinhle from the Church United Group Primary School receives his award from the acting director of the library and information services Atilla Lourens for the Story Skirmish competition

Learners from Sharonlea Primary School in northern Joburg won cellphones for their work in Battle of the Books, a book-based inter-school, knock out quiz aimed at broadening children's reading experience and encouraging co-operation between schools and libraries. It is open to learners in grades six and seven.

Church United Group Primary School learners also received cellphones, for their participation in Story Skirmish. It is also a book-based inter-school, knock out quiz, but is a much easier competition for younger, less skilled readers especially targeted at second language English speakers. It is open to learners in grades four and five.

"Library and information services is proud to be participating in programmes that aim to preserve and celebrate our literary heritage, as well develop the promotion of South Africa's indigenous languages," added Lourens.

The theme for the 2008/2009 JoLiFe was Traditions I hold dear, inspired by Things Fall Apart, the seminal novel by Chinua Achebe, written in 1959.

JoLiFe, or the Joburg Literary Festival writing competition, is run by the City's library and information services department in partnership with the Sowetan Aggrey Klaaste Nation-Buiding Project.

It seeks to celebrate and appraise children's literature, literature in indigenous languages, literary icons of the past and present as well as the importance of public libraries towards making literature more accessible to the community at large and as gateways towards reading, writing and learning.

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