Diplomatic Inside
The latest book by renowned South African political theorist, poet, and writer Mphutlane wa Bufelo was launched this week in Pretoria.
Bofello’s book “Ya Lla Koriana, Azania” was launched along with a book – “The Role of Interfaith: Dialogue in Peaceful Life for the Followers of Religions” – by Seyed Mostafa Daryabari, the cultural attaché of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Africa.
The Cultural Consulate of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pretoria together with Kgwebong Consulting organized the book launch.
The event, which aimed to promote African literature and in interfaith dialogue was attended by numerous academics, writers, public servants at the Islamic Republic of Iran’s cultural office.
South Africa’s international performing poet-singer, author, and content developer, Nthabiseng JahRose Jafta, whose company published Bofelo’s book, said the book contributes significantly to African literature.
“We are from the University of the Free State African Languages Press, and we are the publisher of the book called “Ya Lla Koriana, Azania”, written by Mphutlane wa Bofelo.
“Our first book launch was held on the 15th of May. Today, we are here after the second launch in Gauteng, and this is the third one. We stand for the promotion of African languages in all forms, particularly when it involves writing fiction and creatively weaving our African narratives. We support, translate, and promote these works for leisure, research purposes, and more,” said Jafta.
“I would like to start by celebrating the 200 years of the Basotho as a nation. The Basotho attained nationhood 200 years ago. There are multiple events that are hailing, the milestone of Sesotho as a language, it’s different orthographies from Lesotho and South Africa. So, peace has always been intricately weaved in the way, in our ways. It’s a symbolism, the cow, as a symbolism, to weave ourselves There is no way you’re going to have anything, ritual or a celebration where you are leaving the cow behind,” said JahRose Jafta, whose poetry has been translated into Spanish, Danish, Greek, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Kiswahili, IsiZulu, Sesotho, and IsiXhosa.
She thanked the Iranian Cultural attaché for hosting the book launch in African literature.
Daryabari said that he and two of his scholar friends, who are pursuing their academic work in the UK, wrote the book. He explained that he views interfaith dialogue as a means to achieve a peaceful life of coexistence, which is why he named the book “The Role of Interfaith Dialogue in Peaceful Life for the Followers of Religions.”
“I have been working on interfaith dialogue for more than ten years. Knowing each other is very important to have proper communication. Imam Ali, peace be upon him, says, ‘People are the enemy of what they don’t know.’ When people sit together and speak to each other, they realize that they share a lot of commonalities. Because the blood of Adam and Eve is in the blood of every one of us. The same blood. We are one big family,” Daryabari added.
Before the official programme commenced, academics, writers, public servants, and many other guests had a long conversation around the pool at the Iranian Cultural Consulate. They enjoyed African poetry and a live saxophone performance. Iranian handicrafts and art pieces were displayed, and the guests bought books signed by the authors.
