By Rasvanth Chunylall

On the 6th December 2011, the Literary Tourism Department held its 10th annual end-of-year function. The function was held at Royal Natal Yacht Club which happens to be the oldest Yacht Club in South Africa. The event celebrated the creation of the South Coast Writer’s Trail which features the likes of Daphne Rooke, Mazesi Kunene and Michael Cawood Green to name a few.

The festivities commenced with an address by project leader, Lindy Stiebel. She noted that the next trail will highlight writers of the North Coast. In addition to being the final trail of the project, the North Coast will be a particularly significant trail for her as she was born in the North Coast. Stiebel intends on compiling a Literary Field Guide of KwaZulu-Natal together with Niall McNulty which will feature the links between writers and place, making it an indispensable travel companion for the KZN literary tourist. Special tribute was paid to her team which consists of Niall McNulty, Caitlin Martin and Sbo Dladla. Finally, she thanked all her website contributors and supporters of the project which currently has amassed over a 100 writer profiles.

Sbo Dladla introduced the first performers of the evening. Slam poet, Ricardo, delighted the audience with a slam poetry piece that was “inspired by everything in the environment”. His powerful words were accompanied by the gentle strumming and soulful backup vocals of Phumele.

Thanks to everyone who attended our end of year event.  It was a great success and a really enjoyable evening.  Some photographs are available on our Facebook page.

We'll be shutting up shop today for the Christmas break and will be back at work by the middle of January.