February was a crazy month and one that blew my socks off!
Two highly successful launches were held for Sipho’s War, one in White River, one in Sipho’s home country of Eswatini.
Dana MacFarlane of the White River Gallery kindly offered to host the White River launch and pulled out all the stops for us. Sadly, Dana was unable to attend, but Gallery Manager Casandra Jacobs quietly and efficiently convened an event that was attended by over 100 people.
I was delighted when Bob Forrester agreed to talk at the launch. Bob is a heritage consultant who was born and grew up in Eswatini. He is the author of four books and has co-authored and edited several more. He has designed and created four museums in Eswatini. His specialty is researching the interface between shamanism and archaeology. He also collects and digitalizes old photos of Eswatini to ensure they don’t disappear.
Guests to the launch were fascinated by his talk on the cultural use of ochre, which is mentioned in Sipho’s War and its ties to ancestral worship.
Well-known South African actor, Mark Elderkin, holder of multiple awards for acting, offered to read a few excerpts from Sipho’s War and to compere the launch. His handling of all the flutters of his ‘cast’ were well handled and you could hear a pin drop during his readings of three excepts.
A big win for the White River Gallery launch was Nicky McArthur, editor of Muse Magazine, agreeing to conduct the author interview. We met a couple of weeks before the launch and hit it off immediately. Nicky was great, her enthusiasm for Sipho’s War apparent in the questions she asked. Nicky was sadly unable to attend the Eswatini launch, so I was on my own.
Many thanks go to Sholto and Jiggs Thorne’s of Malandelas and House on Fire for their full sponsorship of the launch in Eswatini. This stime of the year the weather is unstable, and heavy rains earlier in the week had us all watching the long-term forecast with various degrees of despair and optimism.
Friday morning the message came through that the venue was moved indoors to the House on Fire amphitheatre – such a fabulous venue. Some 110 people turned out in support, and it was a great evening. Something special about home support, and seeing old friends was an added bonus.
A few people I cannot forget: Judy de Villiers who was the initial instigator of the ‘book launch’ in White River. Judy worked tirelessly from before Christmas to make sure everything was in order, put her back into helping prepare the Gallery. Chris and Erica Ferreira, Douglas and Jeanne Boyce, Nokukhanya Khumalo for her help and wall painting skills, Jo Crawford, such stars all of you. Erica on the money, Jeanne sorting out eats, Chris and Douglas managing the bar. Jo did all the artwork for the posters and social media ads.
On the Eswatini side, Jeanine van Wyk liaised with the Thornes for the venue, organised the publicity, assisted by Justine Martin. On the night, Justi was the treasurer and, as always, her money was spot on. Jeanine watched over all of us and put together a great video at the end of the night. Thank you too, to Lewis Martin for his sponsorship of the posters.
Your guys all rock!
In Africa we say: it takes a village to raise a child. I say: it takes a community to produce a book. I am beyond blessed to have the best of two communities – who could ask for more?
Sipho is truly on his way, the reviews are great, many are asking for a sequel, my heart is full.
Sibongile!
