The city of Tshwane’s Community and social development services department has hosted the 100 years centenary celebration of Es’kia Mphahlele.
The purpose of the day was to remember one of the renowned, teacher, writer, social commentary and African Philosopher.
He was born on the 17th of December 1919 and died on 27th of October 2008 at the age of 89. Mphahlele was prolific South African writer who produced outstanding work on education, literature, culture and social commentary. He was an educationist, artist, activist and African humanist.
This year marks the 100 centenary of Es’kia Mphahle from 1919 to 2019. They recognise the year because his work is continuing to cultivate and inspire the world. The event today is a testimony and demonstration that the life and legacy of Es’kia will continue to be cherished and celebrated.
For this celebration, the City of Tshwane, Community and Social Development Service, Library and Arts/Culture Division is trying to remind the community of Tshwane about the immense contribution made by Mphahlele to the development of teaching and literature.
The construction of the Sammy Marks Library started in 1991 and it only opened its doors to the public in 1993. On the 28th July 2004, the city of Tshwane renamed the library after him.
Most of his writing reflect on his life and experiences that shaped, broadened and sharped his literacy abilities. That made it very easy for the City to regard him as one of theirs, because of his traces which are well marked on his writings and books. Es’kia Mphahlele wrote and published autobiographies, works of fiction, short stories, two verse plays and a number of poems and research articles.
The library provides services to more than 100 000 persons every year and houses about 190 000 books. The Tshwane Heritage Resource Centre in the library is a reference centre that specialises in the general information and history of the Tshwane.
