President’s Reading Circle: Ramaphosa’s Virtual Book Club

TechInAfrica – Literacy is, what I would personally say, one of the faltering issues in developing countries of Africa. Helping someone to read and write effectively or acquire the basic math skills so many of us take for granted, improves the future of everyone in society. Literacy is critical to economic development as well as individual and community well-being. Our economy is enhanced when learners have higher literacy levels. Literacy is so fundamental to learning that its importance cannot be overstated — it is the essential foundation of education. In addressing this issue, Ramaphosa—the fifth and current President of South Africa—launched his very own President’s Reading Circle, enabling readers to share their opinions on various works of literature.

To promote reading to South Africans, the President’s Reading Circle brings together numerous institutions intended to transform lives and change the way the society looks at literacy. Ramaphosa himself is an avid reader and an accomplished writer, and this notion only brings him further to ask South Africans to indulge in the joy of reading.

The National Reading Coalition (NRC), stated, “President’s Reading Circle is a home for passionate, veteran readers and those who are in the first thralls of their exploration with words and ideas. This is where we share current and past reads; where we complement and critique writers and their readers, and where we engage with seriousness and fun for the sake of building a community around reading and all it inspires.”

In welcoming the new generation of writers that will tell the story of the 21^st century South Africa—reflecting how the society rapidly transforms from one scene to another—new generations of readers are emerging as well through increased access to education. Literature serves as a framework to broaden their insights, their openness and tolerance in unlocking unexplored future opportunities. President’s Reading Circle is one of the most prominent implementations in pursuing the ideal state.

Source: thesouthafrican.com