In recognition of the importance of a strong culture of reading and writing for meeting the various challenges of post-apartheid South Africa, Khanya College launched the first edition of the Jozi Book Fair in August 2009.

The overall purpose of the Jozi Book Fair is to promote of a culture of reading and writing, and to provide a public and visible platform where three key social partners can come together. These social partners are:

• readers in the form of the general public and specific constituencies with this broad public,
• writers and authors, in particular emerging new writers, and
• publishers – in particular small and emerging publishers

The creation of a common meeting space for all the partners is seen as crucial in strengthening small publishers, creating a market for writers, and in creating an opportunity for readers to speak to authors and publishers about the kinds of stories they are interested in. The JBF project’s overall purpose is therefore to create an ongoing cycle in which each of the parties reinforce each other and create a strong reading and writing culture

Jozi Book Fair offers several platforms for writers, publishers, agents, translators and press to engage, debate, discuss and plan new projects.It offers small and progressive publishers a forum to showcase their publications and activities, network, as well as the opportunity to develop alternative approaches and strategies.

The programme of the Jozi Book Fair includes roundtables on topical issues; conversations with authors; writing workshops; networking meetings of study circles and book clubs, publishers, authors; workshops on issues affecting authors and publishers; book launches; films and exhibitions.

Jozi Book Fair returns in 2010 on the 7th, 8th and 9th August at Museum Africa in
Newtown, Johannesburg.

Registration for exhibitors, and authors & readers who want to host events is open. The closing date is 7th July 2010. Go to registration to apply or email jozibookfair@khanyacollege.org.za

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