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Author and journalist McIntosh Polela engaged with staff and students at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) about his book My Father, My Monster, on 17 and 19 September 2013, marking the end of the UJ Library and Information Centre’s UJ Reads reading project for 2013. |
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The event took place on all four campuses, and consisted of discussions held in each of the libraries. The UJ Reads initiative is aimed at motivating students and staff to read for fun and relaxation, as well as to expand their horizons on various important subjects of life. Polela obtained his master’s degree from the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom in 2006. He has ten years of journalistic experience under his belt, including five years with eTV. He was the spokesperson for the Special Investigation Unit, better known as the Hawks. His book My Father, My Monster, was shortlisted for the Alan Paton Literary Award in 2011. In his book, Polela writes about his painful past without sounding to sentimental, and it is the authenticity of the book that connects well with students and staff. At every discussion and workshop, across the four campuses, students had not only read the book but, where eager to ask questions. The book also challenges social issues such as abuse, poverty, neglect and dealing with the past through forgiveness. Polela believes that: “It is the responsibility of society to love young people.” UJ Reads has proven to be an exciting initiative designed to grow our knowledge, promote a culture of reading and create dialogue around issues that face our current generation. Keep a close eye on UJ Reads to find out what books you can expect to read and discuss in 2014 Article issued by University of Johannesburg |
