NWU LIS and Refentse-Katlego Youth Development lead the way in celebrating reading and heritage

The NWU LIS had the privilege of visiting the Letsosa Location in Ottosdal on the 20th of September 2024 to celebrate International Literacy Month and Heritage Month in partnership with the Refentse-Katlego Youth Development Centre as part of community engagement. This event was a powerful gathering, with the ward councillor, several NGOs, parents, teachers, church leaders and other key stakeholders joining forces to emphasize 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, in line with the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032) the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed. The LIS donated books to the community centre, contributing valuable resources to empower learners and future leaders with essential literacy skills. This gesture is a meaningful step towards contributing to 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. They read in both Setswana, their home language, and English. This bilingual approach highlighted their progress and underscored the efforts 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 aloud to the attendees, including one of the community elders, to encourage youth to read and demonstrate the importance of literacy.

As part of Heritage Month celebrations, the event also embraced the richness of South Africa's cultural diversity. A spirited gumboot dance performance brought energy to the gathering, reminding us of our shared heritage and the vibrant traditions that bind us.

Through this event, NWU LIS reaffirmed its commitment to advancing literacy and celebrating culture in our communities, demonstrating that we can make a lasting impact together.

Thanks to the NWU LIS staff who contributed to the event and empowered our community members.

By: Mr Kurtis Setai & Ms Dina Mashiyane