2024 has marked a year of significant growth for Kairos Ark Publishing, led by its Managing Director, Itumeleng Qhali, known in the literary world simply as Qhali. This year, Qhali has been nominated for the inaugural CCI Awards in the prestigious “Outstanding Publisher” category, standing alongside three other prominent publishers in South Africa. The nomination is a recognition of Kairos Ark’s impactful work in promoting indigenous languages and preserving heritage within South Africa’s literary landscape and abroad.
Qhali international presence was solidified in 2023 when she was in the United States as part of the AFRE fellowship. During her visit to North Carolina, Loss – iLahleko was launched at an event hosted by Pen Publishing, where Qhali was also honored with a Proclamation from the city, acknowledging her contributions to community development and racial equity.
Qhali’s recognition comes on the heels of a ten-year long journey of promoting South African languages amongst school-going youth in South Africa which date to date, in partnership with the QS Youth Mission (NPC) has reached thousands of children in rural villages across South Africa providing them with free books and essential toiletries that most children in marginalised communities cannot afford to buy.
A notable aspect of the international promotion of Loss – iLahleko books is the partnership with the feminist poetry movement Smallgirl Rising: Connecting the Divine Black Feminine. This collaboration helped take Loss – iLahleko on a transatlantic tour, visiting three African countries and the U.S., where poetry performances and South African literature by women were spotlighted.
Qhali’s nomination for the CCI Awards underscores her tireless efforts to uplift marginalized voices and bring indigenous South African narratives to the global stage. For more on the CCI Awards and its nominees, visit: CCI Awards 2024 Nominees.
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