Dear Colleagues
Please see the email below, and please contact Unathi to obtain copies for your library. This is a valuable resource for all libraries.
Kind regards
Ingrid Thomson
Ingrid Thomson
Librarian: Humanities Information Division
Chancellor Oppenheimer Library
University of Cape Town Libraries
Private Bag
7700 RONDEBOSCH
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 21 650 3703 Fax: +27 21 689 7569
Email: Ingrid.Thomson@uct.ac.za
Dear Ingrid,
As per our recent conversation with regards to Isigidimi SamaXhosa being distributed to other university libraries, I would like to substantiate:
Isigidimi SamaXhosa was a monthly Xhosa newspaper that was founded by Lovedale's James Stewart in 1870. It featured some of the most prominent Xhosa writers of that time such as the Jabavus, Gqobhas, Solilos, Mgqwethos, Mamas, Sogas and Ntsikos to name a few; who engaged in intensive Xhosa narrative literary journalism – that sought to educate and guide Xhosas of those times. The paper ceased to exist in 1888.
As of 1 August 2012 I re-founded Isigidimi SamaXhosa following my trial research towards a PhD proposal on the transformation of South Africa's media. I hold a strong belief that transformation lies not in race but in language and gaining insight into the inherent knowledge systems within one another's languages.
In re-establishing Isigidimi SamaXhosa I have found that I have re-established a pride amongst many Xhosas across the country who have had the privilege of accessing the very few copies I print per month (from my own salary and freelancing income). I only print 10 000 copies per month and am funded by no organization or institutions.
Considering this small print run, with national distribution ambition, I thought it wise to approach institutions that would best archive and distribute this paper to wider academic circles as well. The paper is already distributed in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng Province – mostly in rural and township communities; using municipal libraries, spaza shops, book stores, schools and door-to-door (knock-and-drop).
Attached to this email you will find a document that lays out the paper's overview and current distribution and advertising model.
I am now approaching university libraries, with the hope that each university library can get at least 50 copies of each issue, per month and thereafter distribute within their African studies / languages sections; whilst archiving some for future research referencing.
Why this paper?
Isigidimi SamaXhosa, today, has more than 40 contributors spread across the length and breadth of South Africa. Some of these writers include Xhosa Kings, African Traditional Religion practitioners, rural elders and many other Xhosa writers spanning from various professions. Who have proven beyond any doubt that the vocabulary to articulate even the most complex global issues exists as they proceed to expand on matters on business, climate change, politics, education, etcetera in Xhosa.
The writings in this paper follow the same format as that of the 1870s – not the inverted pyramids structures of presenting news we have become accustomed to via today's mainstream press. Newstelling lends itself to story-telling techniques of yesteryears that introgues and engage reader in the manner in which they are told. Emphasis, in all writings seeks to develop language, critically analysis subject and engage readers in pure written Xhosa. Although categorized under "newspaper" – this paper's core objectives are not to break news but to review current affairs from a Xhosa cultural perspective. The aim is to build with knowledge rooted in culture.
We already have a website, from which the first editions can be downloaded from:
www.isigidimi.co.za
www.isigidimi.co.za
As of 1 November 2012 this website will be redesigned to provide day-to-day news on the go as well as daily feature articles – all written in Xhosa.
The newspaper is free and will continue to be free as we approach various institutions, in future, for funding and/or advertising within the paper. Thus the 50 copies to be sent to tertiary institution libraries will be done so freely. Where assistance would be needed would be in the form of distributing to all these other libraries – via the interlibrary mailing system, wherever possible.
Is this possible?
Any additional support towards developing this Xhosa newspaper project would be most welcome. Where this is all going is the resurgence of Xhosa literature and building more Xhosa literature for schools and society as a whole – in the form of Xhosa newspapers, books, cartoons and websites.
I look forward to hearing from you and the committees you serve on.
Yours Faithfully,
Unathi
--
Unathi Kondile
MA Media Studies, UCT
New Media Lecturer and Senior Technical Officer (UCT)
Owner: Media YakwaNtu (Xhosa Publishing Company)
Cape Town, South Africa
Owner: Media YakwaNtu (Xhosa Publishing Company)
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: 021 480 7157
Mobile: 082 511 4103
Mobile: 082 511 4103
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