Few people can lay claim to being a published author, but a group of senior citizens in Johannesburg are proud to be among those few after becoming published authors of a paperback book. The book is titled “CoJ Senior Citizens Write” and is an anthology of short stories written by a group of senior citizens, through a digital literacy programme offered by the City of Johannesburg Libraries Directorate in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Launched officially at UJ’s library on Tuesday, 1 November, CoJ Senior Citizens Write contains nine stories written by Murray Park senior citizens. They wrote about love, how their journey started in Johannesburg, surviving apartheid, and social issues.
Most of the writers in the book are females over the age of 55, but there are younger writers whose touching and unique stories had to be added.
The launch was long overdue, says Jeff Nyoka, the Manager of eLearning at CoJ Library, and Information Services (LIS).
In 2018, CoJ LIS introduced an initiative aimed at teaching computer skills and creative writing to senior citizens. It was the brainchild of senior librarian Edith Khuzwayo from the Murray Park Library, who wanted to introduce senior citizens in the community to basic computer literacy.
The LIS eLearning Unit offered to bring a mobile eLearning classroom to the library. This consisted of laptops delivered and assembled in the library every Wednesday for a computer skills class conducted by the CoJ Library eLearning manager. Once participants had gained basic typing skills, they were encouraged to author stories about their personal lives as part of the programme.
Sibongile Malinga (62) says the book was her breakthrough and a form of therapy. In her short story, she discusses her upbringing and journey in Johannesburg, including how she became a victim of rape, how she lost friends and loved ones, and how she kept her head high.
Sweetness Ngqulunga (63) says the initiative created an opportunity for her to relieve stress and enjoy the company of other senior citizens while learning and being equipped with a new skill.
Nobuntu Mpendulo, the Director of CoJ LIS says it’s important to develop smart citizens, bridge the digital divide, and encourage residents to read and write. “This project should be the beginning of encouraging our people to tell their stories.”
Mpendulo’s sincere thanks go out to the Murray Park Library staff, including librarians Senzo Nkwanyana, Gwyneth Perry, Tebello Sengoara, UJ Press Manager Wikus van Zyl, and the entire UJ publishing team for making the book possible.
CoJ Senior Citizens Write is available for R85 from Amazon and Google Books, as well as through UJ Press.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
02/11/2022