MEC LEADS LITERACY CAMPAIGN TO EASTERN CAPE COMMUNITIES

OUTREACH: Villagers from Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality areas encouraged to take advantage of local libraries and to safeguard such public amenities…

By Siyabonga Kamnqa

AS the world marked International Literacy Day this week, villagers from the remote parts of the Eastern Cape were enthused about the critical importance of learning to read and write.

Often faced by challenges of being unable to read or write letters as migrant workers or rural housewives during apartheid days, rural dwellers were encouraged to pick up a pen and book and empower themselves.

Celebrating the day at the Deberha Multi-Purpose Centre in Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape this week, Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Sibulele Ngongo, emphasised the importance of cultivating a culture of reading and lifelong learning.

Ngongo underscored the inestimable role libraries play in addressing literacy challenges across the province.

 “I am encouraged by the fact that we are celebrating this day here, deep in the rural village of Deberha wherein the culture of reading which we are always encouraging, is not taken seriously. These are areas that really need Government attention, to  continue hosting such kinds of programmes so as to expand and take advantage of these platforms to raise awareness about the importance of reading,” Ngongo said.

The MEC said book clubs were an integral part of efforts to sharpen the mind and encourage consistent reading habits among the members of the community. The day’s included a vibrant book club Festival during which learners took part in multilingual book reviews and put their knowledge to the test through a fun and informative quiz themed: “How Well Do You Know Your Province?”

 Imange Sisulu, a learner from Khanyolwethu Senior Primary School, couldn’t hide her excitement as she came second in the multilingual book review competition. Beaming from ear to ear, she said: “This is an honour for me, especially receiving this second prize in my own Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality under the Chris Hani District. It has encouraged me to achieve greater things.

“My advice to my peers is to keep persevering and to make books their friend,” she said.

Councillor Sandiso Ngxangu, from the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality, encouraged both young and the old to take “full advantage” of their local libraries to equip themselves with knowledge and also to safeguard the facilities.