The City of Joburg's Blackheath Library celebrated International Literacy Day on 17 September 2026 by hosting grades 3, 4 and 5 learners from Fountain Park Primary School in Blackheath. The programme featured authors Vuledzani Munyai and Londiwe Mkhabela, who introduced learners to their book, A Day of Adventure with Bra Sipho.
The City's Library and Information Services (LIS) directorate, which falls under the Department of Community Development, marked International Literacy Week from 8 to 11 September through various programmes aimed at promoting literacy. The observance was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 1966.
The authors engaged learners in discussions about the book's characters, events and messages. The programme encouraged primary school learners to develop a love of reading, storytelling and creative writing.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development, Cllr Thapelo Amad, commended Blackheath Library for its efforts to promote literacy across the City.
“The future of this City is reliant on the empowerment of its young minds. We applaud the library for continuing the City's mandate of ensuring that every child is capacitated with the skills required to play a meaningful role in the future of this City and the country.
“Our libraries are the cornerstone of community learning and education. We thank the authors for taking the time to write this book for the benefit of our children, especially in an era of social media, where the culture of reading is under threat," said the MMC.
Unesco established International Literacy Day to remind the global community of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and a human right.
The date commemorates 8 September 1965, when the World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy met in Tehran, Iran, and recommended an international strategy to combat illiteracy. The first International Literacy Day was celebrated on 8 September 1967.
Written by Maseipati Tsotsotso
18/09/2026
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