Sharon Eland-Lewis, local George author who overcame pain, suffering and lots of trials and tribulations to get her first book, Slegs ‘n enkele kans published, today spoke at the opening ceremony for the 14th Annual Funda Mzantzi competition hosted in George.
Her afrikaans book published by The National Library of South Africa, an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture is selected as the Afrikaans book for the competition. Ms Lewis gifted the Minister for Correctional Services, Dr Groenewald with a signed copy of her book.
Seen here with from the left; Garden Route District Municipality’s Speaker, Alderlady Georlene Wolmarans, Executive Deputy Mayor Raybin-Gibb Figland, National Minister of Correctional Services Dr Pieter Groenewald, National Commissioner for the Department of Correctional Services Mr MS Thobakgale and MMC MMC Community Services (Social Development, Sport, Libraries and Customer Care) Melvin Roelfse.
Background:
Sharon Eland-Lewis was placed on the agenda of a portfolio committee meeting during 2017 when the Library Department announced that the staff of library service, that is Rachel Williams (Manager:George Libraries), Hazel Springfield and Eurogine Carolus assisted her with the book by typing the whole publication for her when she approached them for assistance. James de Waal assisted with the proofreading of the book. Rachel Williams contacted Zanele Nikani, the Project Facilitator of the Community Programme at the Publishing National Library of South Africa. Ms Nikani arranged publishing (using the Community Publishing Grant), professional editing and proofreading for the publication. Well-known writer and poet Diana Ferrus assisted with further editing and proofreading of the manuscript. As Sharon is deaf, all correspondence to and from the National Library came through the office of the Library Manager. Although Sharon is vulnerable, extremely poor and a shack dweller, she is a very passionate library patron. Sharon expressed her heartfelt thanks to the George Municipality, the George Library staff and everyone that assisted her on her journey.
Supplied by George Communications Department, Office of the Municipal Manager
