Nozincwadi campaign celebrates 25 years with library renovations
The Nozincwadi Literary Campaign aims to help build a nation of reading by donating books to places in need as well as redoing libraries.
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS have passed since the Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust first launched its Nozincwadi – Mother of Books Literacy Campaign, an initiative born from the community, which had steadily transformed young lives through reading since 2001.
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Years of dedicated service
Throughout these two and a half decades, the organisation has taken on the mission to consistently improve the provision of literature and foster optimism in schools throughout the country that are characterised by limited resources.
This campaign, drawing its fundamental inspiration from distinguished The Bluff storyteller Dr. Gcina Mhlophe, has progressively established itself as a significant catalyst for literacy advancement within rural settings.
Pretty Olifant, a spokesperson for the trust, explained that the entire initiative stemmed from a singular vision, to cultivate a nation of avid readers.
“Over the years as we travelled to many rural schools we were saddened by the poverty and the number of schools that do not have a library. So, we decided to renovate dilapidated rooms and turned them into colourful exciting spaces. A school library was born each time,” said Olifant.
Also read: Building bridges in literacy
A new look
For their 25th anniversary, the trust recently made a trip to Mangete Primary School along the KZN north coast. The school had requested a contribution of books to its library.
“We went beyond contributing books, we turned their library into a space all learners and teachers will be proud of,” said Olifant.
She added at the core of the organisation is Dr. Mhlophe’s mantra of “Until we see a brighter future in our children’s eyes, not much of what we do today has any value”.
The Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust hopes to continue the Nozincwadi literacy campaign and expand it to other schools in need.
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