Citizens urged to read books
Reading statistics report that only 14% of the South African population are active book readers, and a mere 5% of parents read to their children.
This week marks the National Book Week whereby South Africans are urged to read.
“The National Book Week is aimed at promoting reading as a critical part of South Africa’s development and also celebrating books as instruments of self-development, education, culture, heritage and economic progress,” Sibongile Nkosi spokesperson for the department of sports culture and recreation in Mpumalanga.
Also read: Phendulani instils a reading culture
Tomorrow the department will officially launch the Provincial Book Week at Zithabiseni Public Library (Boekenhouthoek) in Thembisile Hani Local under the theme #ourstories.
The celebration coincides with the official opening of the library which received a donation of 15 computers from Mzansi Libraries Online.
Today the department of education in collaboration with Room to Read South Africa is expected to launch two projects that seeks to enhance literacy in Saile and Majembeni Primary School in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality where books will be donated to the schools libraries for learners are urged to read.
Both events comes only a few days after the launch of the first SiSwati Language monolingual dictionary in the province.
National Book Week is an important initiative in encouraging the nation to value reading as a fun and pleasurable activity and to showcase how reading can easily be incorporated into one’s daily lifestyle
