Andrew Sesinyi launches books

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Monday March 1, 2010 00:00

 

It was the first time that the author and long serving government official exhibited his works to the public since he released his  Love on the Rocks novel in 1981 with Macmillan Publishers. He has also published Rassie, and Car Jack with the same publisher.

However, on Saturday as he launched his new books and own publishing company,  Media Palms,  at the Main Mall and River Walk, Andrew Sesinyi revealed that he chose to go his way so he can get maximum benefits from his works.

He told Showtime Monitor that  both books' manuscripts were reviewed and edited by Macmillan, but he chose to go at it alone, although he said doors remain open for international publishers who might be interested in the books.

Sesinyi says he registered his publishing company about a year ago. ' This is its  first public project, but it is going to be  publishing documentaries as well, especially on alcohol abuse and its impact on the health of people.

We will be very supportive of the prohibitive measures, but we will look at the subject holistically,'he said in an interview as  Showtime Monitor caught up with the man at main Mall, where he was  accompanied by his wife and children.

Sesinyi  declared that although he was busy selling the books and signing autographs to tens of his works' admirers over the weekend, he remains well aware of the fact that  Botswana's small population cannot sustain a publishing company.

'It is fulfilling sitting here, answering questions from people showing so much interest in your work. But this is not like fat cakes, which appeals to people's impulses. It takes time for people to make a decision to buy a book.'

Sesinyi says he decided to go at it alone  so that he can be able to share his experiences and be a guiding light to more Batswana, that they can do it as well.

When asked if his books  could soon make it into the school syllabus, Sesinyi said he was not sure as even established publishers seem to be in the dark about the Ministry of Education's requirements for  the books.'I asked several publishers, they all do not know what the Ministry  requires of them. It is  difficult at the moment to know what  their requirements are, but  yes, the books would be suitable for  some categories at junior secondary school  and higher,' he said.

Sesinyi  is upbeat that his company as well as his two books  are coming out at an opportune time when President Ian Khama, who is passionate about the arts is in power.

He said he would knock on the president's doors with both books and appeal to him to cause the Ministry of Education to embark on a deliberate policy to encourage  the growth and development of local literary works.

'I believe literary development is part of our culture just like  music and dance. Some of the books being read in  our schools today were deliberately promoted in their countries of origin by their governments.'

Sesinyi opined that in order to inculcate literary culture, government must look into being the primary consumer of literary works.