The of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services directorate celebrated reading with a literacy event, which took place at the Roodepoort Civic Centre on 7 November 2013 under the theme: “Celebrating Reading”.
The event seeks to encourage and highlight the importance of children’s ability to read and write which is essential to fully develop a sense of well-being and citizenship. Children who are solid readers perform better in school, have a healthy self-image and become lifelong learners. This adds to their viability in a competitive world.
In support of the City’s Growth and Development Strategy 2040, the Library and Information Services directorate focuses on increased literacy, skills and lifelong learning amongst all Joburg citizens.
As part of this event the Million Books Donation campaign was launched, and a graduation ceremony was conducted for adult community literacy learners.
The Million Books Donation Campaign in a quest to support the increase in literacy levels in the City of Johannesburg seeks to collect one million books to be donated and read to underprivileged children. It is intended that the campaign will run for two months of each year for five years.
The recipients focus in particular will be on books for children, especially children from disadvantaged communities. Literacy and the desire to read must be introduced from a very early age to create readers and learners.
Unfortunately not enough adults realize that it is their duty to introduce children to books - especially in disadvantaged communities - and expect the formal schooling system to teach their children. This makes it too late for children to be introduced to learning and reading in a fun and exciting manner thereby instilling essential elements to lifelong learning as they will succeed and perform well.
The campaign intends to use the books to overcome the stressful and pressured introduction to literacy that many disadvantaged children have to endure in the formal school system. The books for children will be given to parents, caregivers and children in disadvantaged communities. Others will be donated to the identified schools.
The City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services Directorate is appealing to all employees working for the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Council, Municipal Owned Entities, the private sector, fundraising bodies and book-lovers to donate books. Book donations can be dropped off at collection points that include the City’s 87 libraries, as well as other city centres. Look out for the orange wheelie bins to deposit your book donation.
The graduation ceremony was to acknowledge adult community literacy learners, many of whom are already senior citizens, for their hard work, dedication and determination to become literate members of our society.
The City’s community literacy programme provides people with a basic foundation for lifelong learning and equips them with the skills and critical capacity to participate in society.
“Learning to read and write is an essential skill to actively participate as a citizen of the city, however, it is critical to provide reading material for the newly literates in support of their lifelong learning” said Nobuntu Mpendulo, Director of Library and Information Services.
The focus of the programme is on adults who did not have the opportunity to learn or attend formal school (especially women and the disabled); out of school and unemployed youth; and immigrants from the African continent or elsewhere who want to improve their proficiency in the English language. A total of one hundred and nineteen (119) learners graduated and received their certificates.
Among the guests present at this event were important dignitaries like, Clr. Dan Bovu - MMC: Housing, Consulate General of the US, Mr. Earl Miller, Embassy and his associate Karin Kitching, Mr. Jerome Chevrier from the Embassy of France, Suraya Dadoo, author of “Why Israel?”, and Dr. Luisa Fragoso from the Consulate of Portugal.
