Welcome to PEN Afrikaans

Yesterday’s release by the reconstituted Pretoria PEN is heartedly welcomed by the South African Centre of International PEN. Vice President of SA PEN, one of International Press Institute’s 63 World Press Freedom Heroes, Raymond Louw, originally argued for “Pretoria PEN” at International PEN”s annual Congress in Berlin on the basis that it would represent Afrikaans writers. The reconstituted and enhanced PEN AFRIKAANS will have no geographical limit and this is seen as a distinct advance. We look forward to working with PEN Afrikaans in upholding the principles of the PEN Charter in southern Africa. We will also be promoting both literacy and literature in this region.

Anthony Fleischer
President, SA PEN