The Department of Library Services at the University of Pretoria (UP) recently launched its Banned Books exhibition at an event featuring a series of enlightening talks about the history and implications of censorship and book banning in South Africa.
The exhibition seeks to reveal how censorship has been employed to suppress dissent and control public discourse.
Featured speakers included Professor Thula Simpson of UP’s Department of Historical and Heritage Studies, who explored The Oxford History of South Africa and its portrayal of censorship and historiography under apartheid; Prof Willie Burger of UP’s Department of Afrikaans, who spoke about the banning of André Brink’s Kennis van die Aand; and Prof Molly Brown of the Department of English, who addressed current trends in book banning, particularly concerning young adult literature in American schools.
Additionally, representatives from the National Library of South Africa offered insight into their extensive collection of banned books.
“It’s important to recognise how critical access to these sources is for our intellectual and academic freedom,” Simpson said. “Many banned works, including South African classics, didn’t genuinely threaten the regime but were suppressed, hindering the creative and scholarly potential of future generations. This fear of censorship led to a significant loss in our intellectual heritage.”
Banned books often acquire an allure and status that can sometimes overshadow their actual content, she added.
This process of suppression paradoxically enhances their appeal and influence, as the very act of banning can generate increased curiosity and interest. As a result, these books can shape societal attitudes and conversations around freedom of expression in profound ways, making their messages even more impactful.
Understanding the history of book banning provides valuable insight into how past restrictions have shaped the current landscape of freedom. It serves as a reminder to appreciate and safeguard present freedoms.
Academic and professional communities play a crucial role in raising awareness about literary freedom and the perils of censorship.
“Exhibitions like this are good for raising awareness,” Simpson said.
“Also, UP publications help to create a permanent literary record of opposition to the control of thought.” By examining the historical and contemporary issues surrounding book banning, the exhibition underscored the importance of safeguarding freedoms and understanding the value of unrestricted access to information.
Cape Times