SCHOEMANSDAL – The country commemorated World Read Aloud Day (WRAD), with learners from various schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the Nkomazi Local Municipality to celebrate the occasion with renowned storyteller, Gcina Mhlophe from Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust.
The event, hosted by the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation (DCSR) in collaboration with the National Library of South Africa, aimed to inspire communities to embrace reading as an everyday practice and highlight the important role played by schools, libraries, and cultural institutions in nurturing lifelong learning.
This year’s event was celebrated under the theme “Celebrate Learning: What Are You Reading?” The day kicked off with a flag-hoisting ceremony at Lugebhuta High School, followed by book donations to local schools.
Speaking during the event, Mhlophe stressed the importance of reading aloud in shaping young minds, encouraging youngsters to read widely to enhance their learning.
Marcus Maphile, Director of Public Engagement at the National Library of South Africa, urged attendees to read aloud to children at home, promoting the value of libraries and reading. “Just take your book and read aloud to the kids at home, it’s important that we promote the value of libraries,” he said.
The event highlighted the significance of reading aloud in literacy development and encouraged communities to make reading a daily habit, with families, schools, libraries, and cultural institutions playing a vital role in fostering lifelong learning.
