Reading tours in UK

Seven of South Africa’s most important writers – André Brink, Elinor Sisulu, Achmat Dangor (short-listed for the 2004 Booker Prize), Zakes Mda, Gcina Mhlope, Wally Serote and Susan Mann – are visiting the UK, appearing in Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Birmingham, Ilkley, and at the British Library in London.

Also in the UK, the Reading Africa project has organised a series of readings highlighting the 100 Best Books from Africa. Writers in Conversation takes place in Ilkley, Brixton, Basildon and Birmingham (click the town to visit the website for more info). The writers present will be Leila Aboulela, Buchi Emecheta, Veronique Tadjo, Jack Mapanje, Beverley Naidoo and Wangui wa Goro.

The Africa Visions tour is organised by the Africa Centre, in association with the South African High Commission, and supported by Arts Council England. IAfrican Visions 2004 - A decade of democracy, South Africa the next chapter, will tour the UK in October 2004. The tour will celebrate and commemorate 10 years of a democratic South Africa to examine how writing, since 1994, has helped shape the formation of the 'rainbow nation' and contributed to its journey towards successful democracy.

"South Africa has consistently produced very fine writers. In this group we see the names of writers, new and established, who show us the remarkable literary range of that wonderful country," said Alexander McCall Smith of this event.

The literary importance of these writers has attracted high profile support from writers and correspondents who have had some connection with South Africa and Africa. Michael Buerk, Lyndall Gordon, Lemn Sissay, Jon Snow, Giles Foden, Beverley Naidoo and Christina Patterson will chair events during the tour.

For more information click here to go to the Africa Visions website.