In June, the Global Book Alliance and the USAID Global Book Alliance in Action project (GBAIA) hosted a four-day book sector workshop in Dar es Salaam, bringing together the Tanzanian and Zanzibar Institutes of Education with private sector publishers from across the country to discuss the book industry in Tanzania.
The workshop focused on creating quality children’s books, with lively discussions about types of books, quality writing and illustrations, and a gap analysis of the Tanzanian book market. Under the theme, "We are Tanzania,” sessions focused on the elements of a successful public-private partnership system, identifying a way forward for ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality books for Tanzanian children.
The initial workshop was directly followed by a storybook development workshop, in which seven selected publishers worked with coaches to develop 10 new titles in Kiswahili.
Kathy Uwimana, an expert on African book publishing attended the workshop.
Kathy Uwimana, a Rwandan expert on African book publishing attended the workshop and offered her reflections on the importance of the event, “The seven Tanzanian publishers who participated in the Tanzania storybook development activity want to share their perspectives of their country - from the national symbol, the giraffe, to everyday life at home and their favorite traditional food. With this collection of books, Tanzanian publishers hope to connect with domestic and global audiences while celebrating their revival as storytellers, professional children's bookmakers, and literature guardians. Through these stories, Tanzanian publishers hope to build new partnerships to foster a culture of literacy and reading in Tanzania and beyond. With these books, these publishers celebrate the Kiswahili language, and national pride within and beyond geographical and cultural borders.
Books are currently being finalized for print. See below for a sneak preview:
Vitisho vya taka by Ebrahim Sokwala, illustrated by Daniel Mzena. Published by Best Deals Publishers and Booksellers
Twiga wetu by John Francis, Illustrated by Chris Katembo. Published by Abanty Publications
Shambani kwa babu na bibi by Yusfa Fauz, illustrated by Godwin Chipenya. Published by Alif Publishers
Andazi la Raina by Angelicca C. Mulokozi, illustrated by Idd Marumba. Published by Tanzania Educational Publishers Ltd (TEPU).