This year, the City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services (LIS) celebrates the South African Book Fair at the Newtown Precinct, which started yesterday and will end tomorrow. There is a fun-filled programme for all our residents.
The Book Fair coincides with International Literacy Day, which is today.
To celebrate the day, LIS staff will be participating in storytelling techniques workshops, which will assist in enabling adults in sharing the wonder of the age old African tradition of storytelling.
Stories have always been a part of the culture and wealth of our communities. Africans have, for centuries, relied on storytelling for the transmission of culture and tradition. Today, with the advent of modernization and particularly that of social media, we have been able to document our ever changing traditions – however, certain cultural practices remain accessible only through storytelling.
As a City, we acknowledge and appreciate that we have generations of people – particularly our grandparents and even parents - who are illiterate. This group of people will be left out if storytelling is not promoted. As a caring and pro-poor government, we are committed to deliberate inclusivity and this is achieved through programmes implemented in the City facilities.
This year’s South African Book Fair offers residents a vault full of books, with a wealth of experts from the publishing industry ready to assist with support materials for learners and teachers, and the best research and non-fiction books from university presses. Participants can choose from an array of books for all ages and enjoy a wealth of literature for leisure and knowledge, as well as for personal and spiritual development.
LIS will, at the Newtown Precinct throughout this weekend, also enthrall children of all ages with puppet shows, as well as storytelling sessions which promise to keep our little ones spellbound to the very last word.
Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba
MMC for Community Development
City of Joburg
For Media Enquiries, please contact:
Ms Alenor Duarte
Assistant Director: Library and Information Services
Tel: 011 226 0938
Cell: 082 857 2627
Email: Alenord@joburg.org.za
Or
Ms Karabo Tledima
Stakeholder Manager: MMC for Community Development
Tel: 011 407 7208
Cell: 061 794 3819
Email: Karabot@joburg.org.za
