​The City of Johannesburg Libraries’ Africa Day celebrations wrapped up with a powerful event on 29 May 2025 at Paterson Park Library, Norwood. As part of the Africa Month series, this event aimed to engage communities by spotlighting African identity, culture, and heritage.

The event was a resounding success, with a diverse range of speakers delving into themes such as creativity, storytelling, Pan-Africanism, post-colonial literature, and human rights.

Nobuntu Mpendulo, Director of Library and Information Services, highlighted how this initiative aligns with the Presidential Working Group on the G20’s Workstream 7, which promotes cultural and heritage tourism across Africa.

The speakers called for a reawakening of African identity through literature and storytelling. They challenged the lingering impact of colonial narratives that once portrayed Africa as the “dark continent”, as argued by literary greats like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Chinua Achebe. The focus was clear: reclaiming African narratives, celebrating diversity, and ensuring that African voices are heard in both print and digital spaces.

Key speakers included Dr Johannes Masenya, who spoke on “Re-Africanisation of African Public Librarianship”; Naledi Setzin, on “New Voices, Bold Ink”; Dr Siphiwo Mahala, on “Ink as Resistance”; Dr Thabo Tšhehloane, on “From Township to Text”; Dr Mashilo Modiba, on “Digital Ubuntu”; Corrence Mkhosi-Ncube, on “Reviving Ndebele Literature”; Prince Bongani Mazwi Mkwananzi, on “Pan-Africanism in the Digital Age”; and Advocate BH Ndlovu, on “The Legal Ink of Liberation”.

Through events like these, Joburg Libraries continue to honour Africa’s rich heritage, foster social cohesion and inspire future generations to tell their own stories.

Written by Maseipati Tsotsotso