The importance of reading literacy has come to the fore since an International Reading Literacy Study found that only 20% of South African Grade 4 learners can understand the meaning of what they are reading, regardless of the language.
While this is cause for concern, the NWU Library and Information Services (LIS) team recently had a positive experience of young learners’ reading abilities. The team had the privilege of visiting Letsosa Location in Ottosdal in the North West Province on 20 September 2024 to celebrate International Literacy Month and Heritage Month in partnership with the Refentse-Katlego Youth Development Centre.
This event was a powerful gathering, with the ward councillor, several non-governmental organisations, parents, teachers, church leaders and other key stakeholders joining forces to emphasise the vital role of literacy in shaping the future.
At the heart of the event was the mission to promote the importance of reading and literacy, particularly in indigenous languages, is in line with the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032) as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
The LIS donated books to the community centre, contributing valuable resources that will empower learners – the leaders of the future – with essential literacy skills. This gesture contributes to three sustainable development goals (SDGs). These are SDG 4 (Quality education), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals).
In celebration of International Literacy Month, the event featured readathon sessions where selected learners from local schools showcased their talents. Impressively, they read in both Setswana, their home language, and English. Their bilingualism and fluent reading abilities underlined the success of the Refentse-Katlego Youth Development Centre in fostering and inculcating a culture of reading literacy from a young age.
The ward councillor also participated in the readathon, reading out loud to the attendees, including one of the community elders, to encourage youth to read and to demonstrate the importance of literacy.
A spirited gumboot dance performance brought energy to the gathering, serving as a reminder of South Africans’ shared heritage and the vibrant traditions that bind people together.
Through this event, LIS reaffirmed its commitment to advancing literacy and celebrating culture in our communities, demonstrating that, together, we can make a lasting impact.
The NWU's Library and Information Services (LIS) team was impressed with the learners from Ottosdal's reading abilities.
