Writers in war of words over accolade
WHILE Durban celebrates the accolade of its City of Literature status as accorded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), there is tension between the parties involved in bringing home the bid.
Durban writer Zainub Priya Dala and academic Darryl David have been at loggerheads with allegations of harassment linked to their roles in putting together the bid. While David said it was his idea, which he would not let anyone else claim the glory for, Dala believed she was being sidelined, despite making strong contributions toward the bidding process.
Dala said she was part of meetings with prominent individuals where the potential of Durban becoming the City of Literature was discussed. She also arranged meetings with local officials.
“I then began to lobby stakeholders, both in the ethekwini Municipality, private businesses, NGOS, all religious organisations that work with language and social organisations that play a role in using arts to create social cohesion. I returned to Durban from Iowa and began writing parts of the bid documents. I also linked up with other Cities of Literature, such as Baghdad and Barcelona,” said Dala.
Dala said she received foulmouthed emails which were written in a threatening tone from David late at night.
“This was also using my fiction novels to harangue and quote back at me, bringing up my past difficulties regarding a traumatic incident I suffered with a contentious writer and my work with a writer from Iraq who has gained asylum in the US,” she said.
“I congratulate Mr David, Mr Ashwin Desai and Dr Betty Govinden in their strong efforts in securing this designation and I wish Durban COL all the best for the future.”
David said he acknowledged Dala’s role in the project and thanked her for her contribution, but added that she didn’t have the expertise to spearhead a bid like this.
“She was one of the people who was in Iowa City, which also has the status.
“She was being guided from there, which helped her to guide us with the bidding process,” said David.
Dala voluntarily chose to distance herself from the project, he said, adding that his involvement in the bidding process began in 2013.
David said he was a straightforward person and that his emails to Dala were frank about the role he played.
He said it was also to highlight that he wouldn’t let anyone else take the glory for the process after Durban was awarded the status.
Unesco spokesperson Laetitia Kaci confirmed the focal point for Durban was Darryl David, an academic at the University of Kwazulu-natal.
She said an application for the status is a long-term process led by the municipality and involving, in a participative process, a diversity of stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia and artistic community.
Kaci said the organisation would ensure the monitoring of Durban as a Creative City of Literature through a Membership Monitoring Report.
“All member cities are expected to report on the implementation of their action plan – outlined in their application form – every four-years.
“These Membership Monitoring Reports are strategic to take stock of each city’s achievements and recommend future strategies and projects. Durban should present its first report in 2021,” said Kaci.
nabeelah.shaikh@inl.co.za