READING MATTERS
Books in Johannesburg

Specialisation in the learning areas of language, literacy, communication, research, and life skills. Training alone is not enough as most classrooms in the country are under-resourced. In terms of local and international resource selection and provision, READ delivers community and life-skills training to young people about to enter the workforce, as well as training for adults in business, including presentation, communication and conflict resolution skills. Started by READ in 1989, the annual Readathon is a literacy awareness campaign which focuses on exciting activities and encourages the appreciation of the joy of reading. Adhering to tradition, the campaign is built around a number of literacy activities. With only 10% of households in South Africa containing more than 25 books in the home for reading enjoyment, there is an obvious need for the children of South Africa to have books of their own, not only when they are at school, but also when they are at home. The first RED Reading Box was developed around the theme of space. The aim of the RED Reading Box is to encourage the love of reading and develop an awareness of the wonders of the world around us. The contents of each RED Reading Box perfectly captured the Readathon Campaign’s overall theme ’Adventures in other worlds’ and had a magical quality, with creative posters, a clever and fun selection of interactive books and hands-on activities. Again, everything was geared to promote reading and writing while developing creativity and increasing general knowledge. It lives in the imagination and has creatures with their own characters, energy and power, living in enchanted worlds with their own customs, mystical landscapes with glass mountains and magical castles, and where everything is possible. Portfolio committee members generously gave of their time to listen to the children read and pointed out the vital importance of reading, not only to open up new worlds of every kind, but to ensure South Africa’s success in an increasingly information-based world economy. The visit included a tour of the impressive and historic Parliament building, which had the children wide-eyed. Initiatives such as this have contributed to the success of the Readathon campaign, which has promoted the art of reading to a new level of significance in the growth of the children, their parents, and our country. In Mpumalanga, learners from Ekuphumuleni Primary School in the Schoemansdal area, near Malelane, were chosen to read during the Readathon to members of the public in a shopping centre where they were welcomed and earned well-deserved praise. Delegates from the Departments of Education, Health, Roads and Safety, and Correctional Services were all there, as were the Chief of the area, the Chief Whip from the Mayor’s office, the manager of TSB and other READ Mpumalanga trainers. Another, led by drum majorettes, walked to the local shopping centre with placards and books, which they read to the public. style, traffic officers were there controlling the traffic, as well as policemen, paramedics and nurses in their ambulances. When the people did not understand the reading in English, translators interpreted it in Siswati. Intermediate Phase learners were the prime participants. Workshops comprised three two-hour sessions each, facilitated by a READ trainer. Teachers were also involved since the RED Reading Box is an effective, multi-purpose learning tool. Children especially vie to commandeer a bean bag while they listen to an absorbing story read by Mr Book, or a READ Ambassador! promote the importance of growing literacy in South Africa for the country to progress.