[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

2 July 2008

Premier Nosimo Balindlela graced the launch of Epainette Mbeki's book, which was held during the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. The colourful occasion was also blessed by the presence of the Eastern Cape Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Arts and Culture and the Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University.

The Eastern Cape Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with Airports Company of South Africa, MTN, and the Constitutional Court made it possible for Thobeka Zazi Ndabula to publish the book. Speaking during the launch of the book, Thobeka said "Through this book I wanted to show my love for Mama Mbeki. I also wanted to know our President Thabo Mbeki deeper having been inspired, among others, by his concept of Vuk'zenzele."

The book is exclusively about the President's mother (MaMbeki as she is affectionately known) and her relentless contribution to her village in Idutywa. MEC for Arts and Culture pointed out that her department has a responsibility to build capacity among the emerging writers such as Thobeka Zazi. "We have to assist our writers so that they are not left stranded and to facilitate and sustain the publishing industry," said the MEC.

The MEC praised the Premier for the projects he started when she was still an MEC for Arts and Culture, which comprised, among others, financially assisting the publishing industry. The government of the Eastern Cape continues to provide funding to a number of publications and to this effect Thobeka acknowledged the support and the assistance she received from the Department of Arts and Culture and the Premier in making MaMbeki's book a reality.

Delivering her speech, the Premier expressed her gratitude to MaMbeki for her unwavering dedication to the development of her village in Idutywa. "If you want to offend MaMbeki, take her away from her village, no one can divorce her from her village" said the Premier. When invited to occasions around the country she is accompanied by an entourage of women from her village.

The Office of the Premier donated an amount of R20 000 to MaMbeki in appreciation for the sacrifices she has made. The Premier was in pains in describing the hardships MaMbeki went through during the apartheid era where, amongst others, her son was killed by the apartheid police force and her grandson disappeared and has never returned home.

In her keynote address MaMbeki praised everybody who has made the book a reality. "I want to see more black people writing and launching their own books. At least in future I would be very delighted to attend the launch of books by black writers." She warned young people to become responsible citizens if they want to reach the levels of the writers of the present generation.

'We want the young people who will sustain the legacy that we have left behind" said MaMbeki. To the amusement of the audience, MaMbeki said that people must stop abusing her by taking her all around the country.'

Issued by: Office the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
2 July 2008
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)