World read aloud day at Sandton Library
SANDTON – Around 200 learners will be read to at the Sandton Library on 1 February.
The Sandton Library will be joining the fun when World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is celebrated on 1 February.
A special event will be held on the morning of 1 February, at the Sandton Library, with 200 children from Soweto and Alexandra.
The event will be attended by this year’s campaign ambassador, children’s author and social activist, Lebohang Masango and is supported by the Department of Education and its Read to Lead campaign.
There is huge potential in South Africa to turn its literacy crisis around so that reading becomes a powerful tool to tackle inequality and poverty. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
While education may be the most powerful weapon, reading aloud and storytelling is integral building blocks in learning. This is why NGO, Nal’ibali, focuses on reading for enjoyment. Nal’ibali is built on the simple logic that a well-established culture of reading can be the tipping point for education in South Africa. Part of this ongoing drive to encourage South Africans to read is Nal’ibali’s World Read Aloud Day initiative.
Jade Jacobsohn, Nali’bali’s managing director, said, “Every year we commission a brand-new story and translate it into all 11 official SA languages. Then we encourage adults and caregivers across the country, to join us in reading it aloud to children on WRAD.”
She said that this year’s story is, Where Are You? and is written by Ann Walton, a well-known South African author and illustrator of children’s books.
From 21 January, the story can be downloaded from their website.
On the day Masango will give a special multilingual reading of Where Are You? and engage the attending children and adults about the importance of reading aloud.
She said, “Reading to your children is important because the benefits will follow them for their entire life. Not only is it great for bonding but you are also expanding their vocabulary, their knowledge, their imaginations, their ability to focus and confidently articulate their ideas out loud.
“Reading is truly the gift that keeps on giving.”
Will you join in on the fun on World Read Aloud Day? Share your stories with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
