Gautrain launches children’s book at Soweto Theatre
The book which was well received went on to win an international award.
The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) launched its fifth children’s book, Yolisa’s Mighty Mission at Soweto Theatre last week.
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The book launch forms part of Gautrain’s initiative geared at introducing awareness of public transport and pushing for literacy.
Dr Barbara Jensen-Vorster, GMA Senior Executive Manager, Communication and Marketing said they were thrilled to offer the book freely to thousands of young children.
“As Gautrain we decided that we wanted to make the kids read again and experience the magic of reading and through that make them understand the importance of public transport, in particular how good public transport is for the environment and getting them around swiftly but we also recognise the importance of reading in young minds hence we are here today once again,” she said.
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The launch kicked off with a reading from the acclaimed storyteller and anti- apartheid activist Dr Gcina Mhlophe who took primary school learners on an imaginative storytelling and reading session.
Gautrain released its first children’s book in 2016 titled Sibo on the move. The book which was well received went on to win an international award. The company has since released four other books under its belt.
According to GMA, the book, which focuses on climate change will be available in three official languages and will be distributed across various schools and community libraries in the province.
“We want when each of the learners read the book that they become an environmental crusader and contribute to saving this beautiful planet of ours because we have nowhere else to go. Richard Branson famously said, ‘there is no planet B’, and we agree.
“We all have a role to play in saving this beautiful planet and that is what we wanted to echo through the latest book,” said Jensen Vorster.
This year’s launch coincided with the celebration of the International Mother Language Day, an annual observance to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
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“We speak English so we can understand each other and get by in the world, but it is days like today where we can celebrate speaking our mother tongue and make sure that our children too are aware of the importance of speaking and preserving our mother languages,” she concluded.
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