Image from bookslive.co.za via Google.

For the first time since the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) launched its City of Literature programme in 2004, an African city has been selected. Durban, South Africa is now one of 28 cities selected so far, including Manchester (England), Milan (Italy), Quebec City (Canada), and Seattle (U.S.A.).

UNESCO’s City of Literature programme is part of its wider Creative Cities Network which includes 180 cities globally in 72 countries in the fields of Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music, and Media Arts. Its aim is to “promote the social, economic and cultural development of cities in both the developed and the developing world.”

Durban’s bid was spearheaded by Darryl David, former Head of Afrikaans at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Joining him are UKZN’s Head of Libraries, Tebogo Mzizi, and writers Ashwin Desai and ZP Dala.

Congratulations to Durban and the bidding team.

Read Darryl David’s interview with LitNet HERE.