Instilling the love of reading

A GRADE R teacher is ecstatic to have her dream of instilling the culture of reading in children from a young age come to life. Launching her children’s book titled Zuzu Goes to the School Library, which comes in English and IsiZulu, Gugu Mabaso said the book aims to encourage the culture of reading in the foundation phase which is Grade R to Grade Three.
The book tells a short story of Zuzu visiting the school’s library to read. Zuzu visits the library on different days of the week and uses different platforms to read from.

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Speaking to the Highway Mail, Mabaso said her dream to write this book was realised in her school library when she saw a need for a hybrid library that consists of hard and digital copies.
“I felt the need to introduce the love for reading, and this was going to be reviving functional school libraries with resources that are easily accessible to learners. Research has also revealed that 81 percent of Grade Four learners in our country cannot read for understanding. So this encouraged me to encourage our learners to read from the foundation grades, and the book depicts that,” she said.

The book was launched at the Pinetown Civic Centre where parents, teachers and children attended. One of the guest speakers was South African-celebrated author Gcina Mhlophe who commended Mabaso’s initiative.
Speaking at the launch, Mhlophe said there is no greater love to introduce to children than that of reading books.
“Instilling the love of reading in vernacular language is a powerful move, and it is encouraging to see young teachers making this difference. My team and I have been going around the country donating books, and we have witnessed the difference made by teachers in different schools. We are happy to have people joining us in this initiative to empower schoolchildren through books and reading.”

Also read: ‘Book’ a date at the Durban International Book Fair this August

Sibongiseni Blose from Nalibali was also present. Nalibali is a national reading campaign that aims to spark children’s potential through storytelling and reading.
Blose encouraged parents to instil the culture of reading from home.
“This can be done by spending time with your child and reading with them beyond school hours. Reading with your child creates a bond between you and them; it also helps them develop in language and vocabulary. We also encourage parents to play with their children. Play is not a privilege but another way in which children can grow and learn,” she said.

Mabaso said she is pleased with the response from teachers, parents and the KZN Department of Education whose officials were also present on the day of the launch.

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