Promoting a culture of reading among South African youth

IN THE spirit of Youth Month, the Nal’ibali reading-for-enjoyment campaign is hosting a Youth Day round table panel discussion at the Centre for the Book today from 5.30pm to 8pm.

The panel will include activists who are passionate about developing the youth, language and advocacy work.

The story of June 16, 1976 encompasses two of Nal’ibali’s values – activism and the belief that every child has the right to be educated in a language they understand.

“A love of storytelling and sharing stories is inherited by us as South Africans. To cultivate a culture of reading in SA, we need more young people to become reading role models. I’m extremely passionate about literacy and would like to activate a love for books in children, especially children from townships,” says Liziwe Ndalana, a literacy activist and one of the panellists.

The improvement of literacy rates is a universal concern. As a nation we can draw inspiration from other countries that have called on activists to resolve issues around literacy.

“The Cuban Literacy Campaign, through the agency of citizens, was able to drastically reduce the country’s illiteracy rates. Tanzania also ran a successful adult literacy campaign in the 1970s that was championed by local activists. Ultimately, we see that with citizen agency, change is possible.

“Considering how South Africa became a democratic nation, and the struggles people overcame in the hope of a better future for generations to come, we cannot deny the power activism holds in changing the social landscape in SA,” says Thembakuye Madlala, Nal’ibali digital strategist.

“A sentiment shared by many is that our education system is in crisis. One of the ways in which the country can overcome this is by instilling a sense of activism and responsibility in people of all ages in our communities. The Nal’ibali FUNda Leader network aspires to do this.

“FUNda Leaders are everyday South Africans who have raised their hands to help ensure that all South Africa’s children are given a better chance to succeed through the power of stories and reading, in the languages they understand best.

“FUNda Leaders are... activists by nature and eager to share their free time by storytelling and reading on a volunteer basis, in the quest to get South Africa reading. By the end of 2017 we had 5 752 registered FUNda Leaders spread across the country.

“There are many ways to be a FUNda Leader. These will be explored during the Youth Day round table discussion, and the impact our FUNda Leaders have had in their respective communities will be shared.”

Nal’ibali FUNda Leaders and literacy activists are encouraged to take part in this discourse – it’s an opportunity for like-minded individuals to brainstorm solutions to the literacy issues that affect all South Africans.

The FUNda Leader panel and audience will together also discuss reclaiming African languages in education, and the importance of young people in promoting reading for enjoyment.

Nal’ibali believes in the relevance of having round table discussions with young people, to explore possible ways they can become literacy role models and help to create a nation brimming with children who can read and, more importantly, who read for enjoyment.

For more information about the Nal’ibali campaign or how to become a FUNda Leader, visit www.nalibali.org Petunia Thulo PR and events co-ordinator Nal’ibali