“Statistics show that South Africans are not a reading nation, with the Department of Education launching the Read to Lead Campaign that is aiming to encourage the culture of learning and reading among both learners and adults.”
These words of encouragement were said by the Minister of Basic Education Ms Angie Motshekga during her visit to Halfway House Primary School on Monday.
Minister Motshekga was accompanied by the Gauteng MEC of Education Mr Panyaza Lesufi and Voice of Tembisa FM station manager Mr Sonnyboy Masingi among other dignitaries.
Minister Motshekga, MEC Lesufi, Mr Masingi and Half Way House Primary School’s principal Sillas Pillay were reading to the learners as part of promoting a reading culture and also celebrating World Radio Day, as adopted by UNESCO six years ago.
World Radio Day is celebrated throughout the world by radio stations and stakeholders.
“Make reading your habit. In the evening before you go to sleep you must read something,” said Min Motshekga.
“You must start developing a love of reading books, or form reading clubs. You must also make use of your libraries, exchange books for gifts, not for things that do not matter,” she said.
She also expressed concern about bullying at some schools.
“The department has decided to take steps in an attempt to deal with this bullying by starting an anti-bullying programme to tackle this scourge,” she said.
She warned learners that bullies are evil people.
“Don’t bully anybody and think you are smart. Remember, you are preparing yourself to jail.”
