South Africa: The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education organized the 3rd Biennial National Reading Summit for the students across the province. The summit was organized at the UMfolozi Casino, in the King Cetshwayo District from May 21 to May 23, 2025.
The KZN department of education partnered with National Library of South Africa, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, and the University of Zululand for the summit. The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zululand, Professor Lulu Nkosi Shokane delivered the opening address for the three day event.
At the official opening ceremony for the summit, the dean talked about the importance of reading for the students. He highlighted that reading is not only the ability to recite words or sentences but understanding the meaning of the text. She also dicussed the importance of being knowledgeable about literature.
The dean noted that they have to try and promote a love for literature among the students of the various communities
She emphasized the need for literacy and said, “We need to forge new relations wherein our society will reap the benefits of literature,” welcoming this productive engagement.
“We gather here today in this summit as a reflection of where we come from and where we are going. It is for these fundamental rights that we are taking the library everywhere; we have book clubs and mobile libraries across the country for accessibility to all.”
Reading according to the officials, experts and stakeholders, should not be a privilege for the people of the country
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, represented by the Deputy Director-General for Curriculum Management, Mbongiseni Mazibuko, who led the KZNDOE delegation inclusive of the Chief Director for Curriculum, Sindi Zakuza-Njakazi, the Director for ELITS, Dumisani Sibisi, and other officials who attended the event also discussed the challenges that the education system has been encountering.
They have shared that the members of the country are working hard to mitigate the challenges that the members of the community are working
“We ought to support community-led programmes which assist literacy and improved education. Parents must assume their roles in the promotion of the reading culture in every household,” said Mr. Mazibuko. The official urged the people to continue to read not only for academic purposes, but also novels, manuals and more.
Other experts also contributed to meaningful dialogue that can help in developing detailed resolutions of the 3rd Biennial Reading Summit. The three-day summit was attended by experts in reading. The officials have shared that the event was full of information and educational.
Resolutions which were taken during this summit were outlined by Mr. Siyabonga Masuku, Board Member of NLSA. He said in closing, “Poor academic performance is a direct result of reading difficulties and illiteracy which negatively affects the economy of our country. Let us jointly eliminate illiteracy.”