M4Lit

Mobile novels (or M-novels) are big in Japan, “six out of the top 10 fiction best sellers in 2008 were m-novels that had later been printed in book form.”

An M-novel called Kontax, commissioned for The Shuttleworth Foundation looks to be an exciting first for South Africa, is set to create an a stir, involving the youth and hopefully creating an interest in reading, all via cellpohones.

The Shuttleworth Foundation knew that it was “worth exploring [cellphones] potential for publishing and authoring.” They believe that “cellphones may represent a way to alleviate the chronic shortage of books in SA as they provide a viable content distribution solution.”

M4lit (Mobiles for literacy) is all about getting kids to read and it is “making world history as the first of its kind to be offered in both English and isiXhosa (to increase accessibility to a broad range of South African teenagers).” It also looks to find out what learners think about m-novels, and whether the mobile medium as a literacy tool interests them.

They have chosen to utilise Mxit (a popular instant messaging service-which has roughly 14 million subscribers) as a platform from which to send the m-novel out from.

The m-novel, Kontax, written by Sam Wilson, is about the adventures of a group of teenage graffiti writers.

The story line is as follows:

“Kontax are the hottest graffiti crew in the city. These four friends come from all over town, and they each have their own unique talent. Sbu has the vision, K8 (pronounced “Kate”) has the training, Songezwa has the technique, and Airtime has the creativity (and the big mouth). The Kontax hang out together making graffiti. They’ll paint wherever they can, and wherever they can’t. They’re the Kontax, and it’s their voice.

One night Sbu hits it off with a girl at a party, but she suddenly disappears, leaving him with her cellphone and her first name. Who is she? Where did she go? And why doesn’t anyone on her cellphone contact list know her? Sensing she is in danger, the Kontax crew uses every idea they can think of, and all their skills and connections, to track the missing girl. As they do, the Kontax discover that this mysterious girl is in more trouble than she could have possibly imagined. Tracking the girl down leads Sbu and his friends into a world of action, mystery, and increasing danger…

Readers will be invited to interact with Kontax as it unfolds on their cellphones: by voting on and discussing the progressing plot, as well as leaving comments. To make it more appealing there will be airtime prizes available for winning submissions and comments.

Every day another chapter in the mystery plot is told, with 21 chapters unfolding over 21 days.

M4lit has huge potential and looks to change the attitude of South African youths’ towards to reading and writing, as well as it leading the way for more interactive m-novels in South Africa.