Our topic for this week's Learn History Africa Facts of History is Nardine Gordimer, the first female African Nobel Laureate. She was born and raised in South Africa, where she experienced racial segregation during the time period in which she lived. An author of novels and short stories, she used her pen to shed light on issues affecting the South African community at the time of her writing, mainly the apartheid, state censorship and information control.
Ms. Gordimer began writing at the early age of nine, and by the age of fifteen, she had published her first short story. She was a voracious reader, and this provided her with information about the world beyond apartheid, which was the way of life in her country at the time. She has written fictional and non-fictional stories, as well as produced television documentaries. Books and stories of hers have been published in 40 languages, and she has received 15 honorary doctorates from universities in South Africa, Belgium, the United States, and the United Kingdom, including Oxford and Cambridge. She is credited majorly for her role in the abolishing of apartheid in South-Africa.
The fact that Ms. Gordimer began writing at such a young age is one of the most striking aspects of her story. Another is the way in which writing, learning, and writing can alter the course of a community as well as the course of history. In that light, we are pleased to inform our dear parents that our essay writing competition for the year 2022 is rapidly approaching. It would be open for three months to members of the general public who live in Africa or are of African descent, and it would be open to wards aged six to thirteen.
Valentine's Day is also approaching, and the team at LearnHistory Africa wants to remind you that you should not only show love, but also be someone who is lovable.
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