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Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile has encouraged South Africans, especially those that were close to or were part of the liberation struggle, to write more books about the political history of the country.

Mashatile said this would help preserve the country’s heritage by imparting the story of the political struggle to generations to come.

Speaking at the launch of a book entitled: “The Future We Chose: Emerging Perspectives on The Centenary of the ANC” in Cape Town on Friday, Mashatile said his department would support book projects that would contribute to preserving the country’s arts and heritage.

“The Department of Arts and Culture, amongst many of its responsibilities, encourages the writing of books – especially in indigenous languages – and the reading of books, particularly to tell the true story of who we are as South African people.

“I encourage us all to write books,” said the minister.

He added that there were books by people who were very critical about the country and that “we should write more about ourselves so that there is proper discourse out there”.

“All those who have got the energy to write, please let us get together. Let’s write more and more books so that we can impart good heritage to the young generation. We must be able to tell a good story of this great nation,” he said.

The book was launched on Friday. It was edited by commentator and writer Busani Ngcaweni, who approached ANC leaders and stalwarts to contribute chapters on their perspectives of the liberation movement’s centenary celebrations and history.

With a lot of external and internal contradictions on the story of the liberation movement, the story explores the events and the narrative that defines South Africa’s oldest political organisation.

Among the list of senior politicians who contributed a chapter in the 19-chapter book is Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. He also attended the launch along with Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission, Trevor Manuel. – SAnews.gov.za