LITERATURE

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The Writers World

, the South African word crafter's journal, aims to keep writers informed by providing a solid network on a regular basis.

Contributors are welcomed and a guide is available although new writers should remember that original one-and-only copies and manuscripts or illustrations should never leave their hands.

While reasonable care is taken by publishers, material is usually accepted on the understanding that no liability for loss or damage is borne by the publisher or editor.

The publication carries interesting features as well as articles on problems experienced by writers in getting work published as well as information on copywright. There's also much good advice and encouragement!

The cost of the magazine is R12. For details, write to PO Box 1588, Somerset West, 7192.

Otherwise phone (021) 852-4728 or 852-7134. Fax (021) 8 2592 or 852-4728.

ROOKSANA OMAR

Rooksana is the new Acting Director of the Local History Museums, Durban. She replaces Gillian Berning who has made an outstanding contribution to the interest and development of history in the City of Durban. Rooksana has worked at the Local History Museums for the past ten years and more recently at the KwaMuhle Museum as Research Officer.

TIME JOURNEY

Recent threats to close down at least one of Durban's four Local History Museums have led to protests from several prominent local figures.

The Local History Museums are fighting back with a unique publication high-lighting the astonishing variety of strange and delightful stories which make up the history of Durban.

The Time Traveller

, designed by Mark Crozier, Garth Walker and William Read, is said to be a publication like no other and is aimed at making Durban's history more accessible and real to people of the KZN.

The article and stories in this magazine are attempts to bring to life some of the episodes which make up the history of the city and its widely-differing people. It is claimed that The Time Traveller is significant because it makes history accessible and fun - "shattering all pre-conceived notions of a subject that might be conceived as dull," says Gillian Berning, who recently resigned as director of the four museums."

"It is unique in that it breaks with the way in which museums have promoted themselves in the past," she adds. "The concept and design are outstanding. Orange Juice Design has produced a pioneering publication - it is the first of its kind in the world."

Copies of The Time Traveller are available in the curio shop at Kwa Muhle Museum in Ordnance Road.

VITA/COSMO STORY

The FNB Vita/Cosmopolitan short story competition was launched in 1993 to encourage and promote creative writing. This year 801 writers entered their works, vying for the R12 000 prize.

Entries poured in from South Africans all over Africa and the world.

Burning Buildings

, written by Henrietta Rose-Innes, who is based in Cape Town, was selected for its innovative, creative story-line and composition.

THE CULTURAL WEAPON

Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that "Everyone shall have the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community and to enjoy the arts..."

Article 27 is also the name of a local arts and culture consultant company that has launched a publication titled The Cultural Weapon. This will be compiled and dis-tributed monthly to a subscriber base to provide regular and appropriate infor-mation as a means of empowering South African arts and culture stake-holders and national and international supporters.

DONOR

Article 27 has been approached by an international donor to provide it with regular information on arts and culture, in order to keep abreast of developments.

"We believe that there are many others - not only internationally, but locally - who would benefit from such a service," says Mike van Graan of Article 27.

Among other items, The Cultural Weapon

(arm yourself with information) will cover information on the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, providing contact numbers of senior staff as well as details of projects, funding allocations, legislation and tenders.

STATUTORY

Other statutory arts and culture bodies will be covered, such as the National Arts Council, the SA Film and Video Foundation and the Heritage Council as well as those in the private sector like Business and Arts South Africa and the Arts and Culture Trust.

News will be provided from the nine provinces and major cities as well as on the international scene regarding donors and agencies involved in the arts locally.

There will be details of festivals, politi-cians responsible for culture and public arts funding plus newspaper clippings of arts and culture happenings around the country not to mention fund-raising ideas and information.

Subscription rates of The Cultural Weapon start at R206.10 for three months. Write to: Suite 34, Postnet, PO Box 037, Musgrave Road, 4062.

Telefax 81-5224 or e-mail Mike van Graan on art27m@dbn.lia.net.

BEACHWISE AFFAIR

The Beachwise Easter Affair on Durban's main beachfronts from March 27 to 31 will see a large marquee housing daily performances by various arts groups and organisations as well as a nightly rock concert with several of Durban's top bands performing.

TIME JOURNEY

Recent threats to close down at least one of Durban's four Local History Museums have led to protests from several prominent local figures.

The Local History Museums are fighting back with a unique publication high-lighting the astonishing variety of strange and delightful stories which make up the history of Durban.