Today, 24th May 2021, is a big day for the Puku Foundation! The launch of Katrina Esau’s children’s book ‘!Qhoi n|a Tjhoi/ Skilpad en Volstruis/ Tortoise and Ostrich’, will take place in Upington at 11h00. This is a historic occasion because it is the launch of the first book ever to be written in the N/uu language. ‘!Qhoi n|a Tjhoi/ Skilpad en Volstruis/ Tortoise and Ostrich’ is written in N/uu with translations in Afrikaans and English.
Puku is delighted to announce that the book can be purchased via the puku.co.za website. Go to the link where the book is reviewed, https://bit.ly/346vCeG, and click on ‘Add to cart’ at the bottom of the page. . This will take you to the correct place in Book Circle Capital for purchasing ‘!Qhoi n|a Tjhoi/ Skilpad en Volstruis/ Tortoise and Ostrich’.
In their media release on the event, the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, who is hosting the event, highlights the importance of this occasion. They point out that ‘!Qhoi n|a Tjhoi’ presents a significant advance in the struggle for the survival of the N/uu language and it resonates with the Northern Cape government’s commitment to the survival of all the endangered languages of the province. The launch of this book is therefore a significant occasion for the Northern Cape government, and has the support of Premier Zamani Saul and his entire cabinet.
The book, The Tortoise and Ostrich is a story told by Katrina Esau, who is one of the last mother-tongue speakers of the N/uu language. Ouma Katrina, as she is fondly known, has received many accolades for her efforts to preserve and promote her language.
In 2020, Ouma Katrina Esau was honoured as a South African Living Human Legend. This accolade is bestowed upon individuals who have a high degree of knowledge and skills to perform or recreate specific elements of the intangible cultural heritage.
The book, published by New Africa Books, is illustrated by acclaimed artist Stanley Grootboom. The Afrikaans editing and English translation was made by the internationally celebrated writer and poet, Diana Ferrus.
You can view the launch at 11h00 on the DSAC NCape Facebook page on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/DepartmentOfSportArtsAndCulture
