MEDIA STATEMENT

The Freedom of Expression Institute will hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday June 29 at the Civic Theatre, Braamfontein. The institute which was formed out of the amalgamation of three organisations active against the apartheid government, has been in existence since 1994. Its objectives are to oppose all forms of censorship, defend and lobby for greater freedom of expression, access to information and media diversity.

Professor Keorapetse Willy Kgositsile, will be the key note speaker at the function. Kgositsile currently teaches Literature and Creative Writing at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). In the past three decades he has taught at a number of universities in the United States and Africa, including at the Universities of Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. He spent 1998 at the University of Fort Hare as Director of ELCRU (English Language Curriculum Renewal Unit). He was also Visiting Professor of Literature at Fort Hare.

Kgositsile is an internationally acclaimed poet. His latest collection of poems, TO THE BITTER END, was published by Third World Press, Chicago. He has been widely anthologised and some of his work has been translated into many languages. In the early '90s he was an Executive Member of the Congress of South African Writers (COSAW).

The business of the meeting will start at 17h00, including the election of the executive committee and the chairperson's address. Professor Kgositsile will speak at 18h30. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Drinks will be served.

Contact : Nanagolo Leopeng (Information & Publications Officer) 011 403 8403