NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK A HUGE SUCCESS-
LAST week’s National Library Week celebrations staged by the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (Dsrac) was characterised by a variety of fun-filled activities to the excitement of the participants.
The event held at the Breidbach community hall and library was staged in partnership with Buffalo City Metro Municipal Library services and other stakeholders, such as the department of education, Cotlands and the South African Library for the Blind. There were more than 200 participants, among them pupils from pre-primary to secondary school level.
Other participants included youth and senior citizens from places, such as Schornville, King William’s Town, Berlin and as far afield as Mdantsane.
The children competed in reading, wordathon, spelling bee, board games and poetry exercises, while youth from 18-35 years read poetry.
Elderly folk from the age of 60 showcased their skills in arts and culture activities, such as beading. Department official and one of the event organisers, Limisa Ketile, described the event as a phenomenal success and attributed it to the hard work and commitment of the organising committee.
“The event with the theme ’Libraries – Heart of the Communities’ is celebrated annually with the purpose of promoting the use of library services and the culture of reading and I am over the moon with how it was celebrated,” Ketile said.
“We have achieved our goal as it has motivated and encouraged pupils and the community about the objectives, which are to create an understanding of the importance of libraries and the role they play in a democratic society, to encourage the citizens of this beautiful country to be active book readers and to motivate them to value reading as a fun activity,” said Ketile.
Schornville Primary School pupil Esona Diamond, 12, was reading fluently and had the audience on their feet. Sandile Makwati, 24, of Peelton read his own poem about Nelson Mandela.
“I started writing poems at the age of 13 and started taking it seriously when my mother passed away in 2013, so I love it and commend the department for this opportunity where I can showcase my talent,” said Makwati.
Breidbach resident Maron Thompson said she was taught how to make her own earrings and bracelets with beads. The ceremony ended with meals provided to all participants.