Born to Kwaito book launch a roaring success
More about the book!
![](https://readinglist.click/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/born-to-kwaito-book-launch.jpg)
Header image: Born to Kwaito on Twitter
Born to Kwaito: Reflections on the Kwaito Generation, a new BlackBird Books publication by Esinako Ndabeni and Sihle Mthembu, was launched at the SABC in Auckland Park on Thursday, 5 July 2018.
Thabiso Mahlape, BlackBird Books publisher, says of the book: ‘Born to Kwaito is not only an examination of the history of the music genre; it is also a revisit of the relationship we have with the music, its stars and their own relationship with their art and themselves.’
Actress Rami Chuene chaired the discussion at the packed-out launch, which was attended by a number of book clubs, literary podcaster Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane of The Cheeky Natives, Uzalo actress Sihle Ndaba, writer and activist Lebohang Masango, and members of the Fees Must Fall movement, as well as a number of prominent politicians.
At the launch, Mthembu spoke about the way in which women have been erased from the history of kwaito.
‘A lot of women wrote and sang on songs they weren’t credited for’, he said, as reported by City Press. ‘This book credits them where history may have failed to do so.
‘It also discusses violence and how we deal with violence from people we love.’
Check out the action on Twitter to get a feel for how the event went down:
We are receiving quite the red carpet treatment at the @born2kwaito launch.
Jonga, Trompies ft Lebo Mathosa – 'Magasman' is playing in the background – for ambience.#BornToKwaito pic.twitter.com/lex8FeOZ1h
— The Johannesburg Book Club (@TheJoziBookClub) July 5, 2018
Out at the .@born2kwaito book launch. 🙌🏾 #BornToKwaito pic.twitter.com/bzI0vpA3iJ
— Tshepang Mollison (@TwiggyMoli) July 5, 2018
Excited for the @born2kwaito launch tonight pic.twitter.com/j087hw9Crc
— The Cheeky Natives (@CheekyNatives) July 5, 2018
So PROUD to say I know and work with this amazing, multi-talented human! @SihleMthembuZA ♥️🔥📚
Greatness is what you’re on the brink of, son! @born2kwaito #BornToKwaito#BookLaunch#IKnowAnAuthor pic.twitter.com/75vqOTjjeO
— Missandei (@_LadyThabi) July 5, 2018
This is us. A warm thank u to everyone for ur encouragement and support. we are Sihle Mthembu and Esinako Ndabeni and we were Born to Kwaito. pic.twitter.com/CiLDm5Sr2x
— born2kwaito (@born2kwaito) July 9, 2018
‘Kwaito feels like something that belongs to us’ – @thabisobonita #BornToKwaito pic.twitter.com/09Oy40J0EU
— The Cheeky Natives (@CheekyNatives) July 5, 2018
Packed to the rafters. Kwaito playing in the background. Food galore. Drinks flowing. Having crafted ginger beer from #BasothoHeart. Waiting for the launch to begin @sabcinfolib @_BlackBirdBooks @JacanaMedia @thabisobonita @NtokozoBooks @ExclusiveBooks have boxes of books to sell pic.twitter.com/cO4J66GOWY
— Lorraine #ChickReader Sithole (@LS3841) July 5, 2018
@k_mthembu @Mr_Mokgoroane & @RenateStuurman at @born2kwaito book launch pic.twitter.com/ATAAE6SoOq
— SABC Information Library (@sabcinfolib) July 9, 2018
Speaking about his vision for Dune, Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky, talks about the primal need to make something sacred. For me @born2kwaito is that thing. Something that I hope people can pick up and read and cherish. Thank you for everything, I see it all. pic.twitter.com/qc5gr90bsk
— A surplus of diggity (@SihleMthembuZA) July 9, 2018
#Born2Kwaito launch at @sabcinfolib … let’s get going @LeXhosaGuy
📚📚🔥🔥💃🏽🕺🏾 pic.twitter.com/jKeuaOBzrD— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) July 5, 2018
#BornToKwaitoLaunch & Trompies Feat. RIPLeboMathosa "Magasman" @sabcinfolib @_BlackBirdBooks @thabisobonita @JacanaMedia We've lived Kwaito, we've seen it #TWRRagFarm🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/cJfSRZCRW6
— BookWormers (@BookWormersGP) July 5, 2018
@ramichuene is just perfect as the MC and discussant at the book launch of @born2kwaito … next up snippets from iconic #YizoYizo 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/U3QBhDMMzC
— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) July 5, 2018
Publisher @thabisobonita from @_BlackBirdBooks reading her publisher’s note that is printed in the brand new book @born2kwaito pic.twitter.com/TkDa9hZP6a
— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) July 5, 2018
"As a reader, books to me are treasures. As a publisher, books to me are legacies"…out of the mouth of @thabisobonita #BornToKwaitoLaunch @sabcinfolib @_BlackBirdBooks @JacanaMedia pic.twitter.com/OXWqdhhq2Y
— Lorraine #ChickReader Sithole (@LS3841) July 5, 2018
And then @thabisobonita takes government to task for not supporting publishing and the arts in general as a means to document our past and lived experiences. @SAgovnews take note!
— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) July 5, 2018
And a call to support @thando_mgqo and @Abantu_ Book Festival with donations. pic.twitter.com/vJjJKlWX1w
— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) July 5, 2018
@SihleMthembuZA and @NomondeTshomi now talking about the influence of Brenda Fassie … and her career in relation to all her facets as a woman, singer etc. #Born2Kwaito pic.twitter.com/DUNQgLUhDl
— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) July 5, 2018
#BornToKwaito pic.twitter.com/hfrektocAS
— Pinky Bapela (@Pinky_Bapela) July 5, 2018
What a great book launch! Well done @NomondeTshomi and @SihleMthembuZA on the publication of @born2kwaito and a great celebration at @sabcinfolib
That’s how you do it! #BuyTheBook at all good bookstores and online at Loot. pic.twitter.com/h1mhfp6p1G— Nadia Goetham (@NGoetham) July 5, 2018
@born2kwaito book launch @JacanaMedia pic.twitter.com/GqIX81qySP
— SABC Information Library (@sabcinfolib) July 9, 2018
The Launch was success!
Well done to the entire team.#BornToKwaito pic.twitter.com/LP3QMEnFMr— Nomakhosi (@k_mthembu) July 9, 2018
Why we all need to read; Born To Kwaito @SiyafundaSA
8. To gain courage
9. To strengthen convictions
10. To learn to write more beautiful stories about our heroes, because nobody can describe us who we are, nobody can describe a part of us…… pic.twitter.com/q0ZIk38RiG— BookologistNtokozo (@NtokozoBooks) July 5, 2018
Categories Non-fiction South Africa
Tags BlackBird Books Book events Book launches Born To Kwaito City Press Esinako Ndabeni Johannesburg Kwaito Music Sihle Mthembu Thabiso Mahlape