Promotion of the Culture of Reading in South Africa Presentation by Mandla Mona Programme Manager: Centre for the Book Mandla.Mona@nlsa.ac.za 012 401 9753 1

Outline NLSA’s Vision and Mission. Centre for the Book. What is reading? The importance of reading. National Reading Survey. Conclusion. 2

Vision A world-class African National Library and information hub. Mission We build, record, preserve, conserve and make accessible a complete South African documentary heritage fostering a reading nation towards an informed citizenry. 3

National Library of South Africa The National Library of South Africa Pretoria Campus Cape Town Campus 4

Centre for the Book (CFB) This outreach unit of the NLSA, promotes a culture of reading, writing and publishing in all South African languages and enhances easy access to books for all. The CFB promotes a culture of reading through the reprint of South African Indigenous Languages Classics, establishment of Book Clubs and hosting Reading Festivals. Publishing is promoted by awarding Community Publishing Grants. 5

Honourable President Cyril Ramaphosa reading to scholars during a Reading Marathon in Khayelitsha 6

What is reading? Reading is a complex “cognitive process” of decoding symbols in order to construct or derive meaning (reading comprehension). Reading is a means of language acquisition, communication, and of sharing information and ideas. Like all languages, it is a complex interaction between the text and the reader which is shaped by the reader’s prior knowledge, experiences, attitude, and language community which is culturally and socially situated. The reading process requires continuous practice, development, and refinement. In addition, reading requires creativity and critical analysis. Consumers of literature make ventures with each piece, innately deviating from literal words to create images that make sense to them in the unfamiliar places the texts describe. 7

What is reading?(Continues) A multifaceted process involving word recognition, comprehension, fluency, and motivation. Learn how readers integrate these facets to make meaning from print. www.readingrockets.org. 8

Importance of Reading Fundamental to function into today society Develops the mind Aid in discovering new things Develops the imagination Develop self image Improves vocabulary Vital skill in finding a good job Reduces stress “It is written” 9

National Reading Survey 2016 7% of SA population are avid readers in 2006 14% of SA population are avid readers in 2016 How can our library influence change? How are my daily activities influencing change? Reading is the 5th activity of the survey population 10

NLSA’s Role Building a Culture of Reading Facilitate Book Club Establishment Workshops National Book Club Competition Donate books to provide easy access to reading material Reading Conference 11

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The National Librarian and CEO officiate the opening of the 8th Funda Mzantsi Championship in George 13

Dr Maepa congratulate Ozias Davhana Secondary School from Limpopo for winning the Tshivenda 1st Prize in the 8th Funda Mzantsi Championship in George 14

Join us at the 9th Funda Mzantsi Championship in 1 - 5 October 2018 In Conclusion “A nation that read, is a knowledgeable nation. It’s a nation that knows and understands things, also knows its own history. It’s a nation that knows where it’s coming from but most importantly, knows where it is going to.” President Cyril Ramaphosa Join us at the 9th Funda Mzantsi Championship in 1 - 5 October 2018 We celebrate and preserve our literary heritage through sustainable reading clubs. 15

National Library of South Africa www.nlsa.ac.za Pretoria Campus 228 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria Private Bag X990, Pretoria, 0001 Tel: +27 (0) 12 401 9700 Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 7642   Cape Town Campus 5 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town P. O. Box 496, Cape Town, 8000 Tel: +27 (0) 21 423 6320 Fax: +27 (0) 21 423 3359 Centre for the Book 62 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town P. O. Box 15254, Vlaeberg, Cape Town, 8000 Tel: +27 (0) 21 423 2669 Fax: +27 (0) 21 424 1484 16