Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho, an author and journalist, attended the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) in China last week.

He was an invited guest with other South African writers, among them Sihle Khumalo, Prof Andries Oliphant, Primrose Mrwebi and Bathandwa Mcuba.

The authors were invited by the China Writers Association (CWA) as a reciprocal programme after South Africa had successfully hosted a delegation of the CWA last year. The writers departed for China last Monday (August 25) and arrived back in the country this Monday. 

“The CWA welcomed us heartily and we spent all those days experiencing the history and cultural heritage of the country,” Mukwevho said. “We got to Beijing in the evening and the following morning we visited the magnificent Forbidden City.”

The great achievements in literature from ancient times to the present were also brought to the writers’ attention. A visit to the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature and the former residence of the late highly regarded Chinese playwright, Mr Cao Yu, revealed the beauty of Chinese literary history. “I noticed that the people of China, or those in power, work hand in glove with artists to see that the needs of the artists are met, and that all practising artists’ works are documented in museums,” he said.

The highlights were the round-table conversations with writers in Beijing and Tianjin on recent development in South African and Chinese literature. “It dawned on me, during these discussions, that writers in China and SA have a lot in common – we share a love of reading and a passion for writing,” Mukwevho explained.

Prof Oliphant added that they also visited the Great Wall, constructed from 600 BC onwards. “A visit to the Museum of Modern Chinese Literature emphasised [the need for] a national museum of literature in South Africa, inclusive of all languages,” he said.

The visit to the BIBF event provided the writers an opportunity to interact with publishers and writers from all over the world and consolidated relations between South African and Chinese writers. “It paved the way for collaborations in the translation of literary works from both countries and on-going exchanges,” Oliphant said.

As tokens of appreciation to the Chinese hosts, Mukwevho handed copies of his books, A traumatic revenge (short stories) and The violent gestures of life (novel) to the CWA’s vice-president, Mr Liao Ben.

“It was my first overseas flight and trip and I will cherish the experience,” Mukwevho marvelled. “I walked on a red carpet for the first time in my life - in Tianjin! I am happy that my gift as writer is bringing me before the kings and queens of this world.”