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International Book Fairs Need Co-operation in Africa 15 August 2000 by Hugh McCullum and Chipo Muvezwa Since the Zimbabwe International Book Fair first raised its stalls in 1983 in the lush green Harare Gardens, it has grown and thrived to become the largest in sub-Saharan Africa and has been an inspiration to four other similar African initiatives which promote and develop the book industry. But, perhaps more important, these national and international book fairs bring together people who are at the forefront of Africa's vibrant and rich culture of writing, reading and the making and distribution of books. The ZIBF, started with the vision of a publisher and the support of the government, has grown to its current state of some 317 exhibitors and almost 20,000 visitors, making it the continent's biggest and most prestigious. But as ZIBF's founder, author and historian David Martin of the African Publishing Group (APG) says, "it is an African fair, it is not emulating European or American events, it must be understood and seen in the African context." The whole notion of book fairs promoting all aspects of publishing has grown widely in Africa since 1983. Of course writers and publishers are still the centrepiece but now active participation by governments, media, educators, gender activists, technology experts and a whole range of connected information age technology are up for discussion and planning the future. Publishing has come of age in Africa and both professionals and the reading public are demanding more and better materials and innovative ways in which they can be promoted, marketed and distributed. Martin noted that ZIBF this year focused on Ghana and the key role the Ghanaian government played in supporting the country's emerging book industry and resuscitating its own ailing book fair. South Africa sponsors and supports its publishers to exhibit at ZIBF every year. However, while ZIBF may be the oldest and biggest, it is far from being alone. Indeed, Richard Crabbe, chairperson of the African Publishers Network (APNET) says the next important step needed is to increase cooperation and support between the five international book fair organizers in Africa -- Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya and the newly-revived Ghana fair, as well as Zimbabwe. APNET, Crabbe says, has been active in encouraging both the Ghanaian and Kenyan fairs to increase their international thrust because "these book fairs arose out of a need for publishers to sell books beyond their borders as a means of making more money and promoting books and culture from their country." ZIBF's theme, "Celebrating African Books" is more than just a publishers' gimmick to sell more books and exchange ideas and views. Along with national and international fairs, the public days allow readers and interested people access to reading material which serves to sensitise their community's need to read. For example, the Indaba at this year's ZIBF where authors discussing African publications focused on present and future marketing trends across and outside the continent as well as writing, scholarship and policy coordinated by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Another continental book fair initiative was the launch of the best 100 books in Africa competition, the selections for which will last three years. It seeks to celebrate outstanding works of fiction from African writers. Crabbe indicated that the workshops at ZIBF are an important aspect for all book fairs in Africa which must not be allowed to become just talkfests. There must be follow-ups on major issues where writers and publishers can reflect on progress made and look at the future while planning strategies to lobby governments about issues like customs duty and sales tax on books which deter promoting a culture of reading. (SARDC)
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