Statistics released by Stats SA show that just over three million South Africans remain illiterate with the definition of literacy being defined as “the ability to read and write in at least one language”.
That is why for the past four years, through Volkswagen’s Annual Literacy Conference – founded in 2015 – which forms part of the VW Community Trust’s legacy initiative, aims to ensure that all learners within the province of the Eastern Cape are functionally literate by the age of 10 years old.
“A key focus of the trust is early childhood literacy, because we realise that if we can develop a child’s literacy from an early age that child can go on to achieve great things in the future,” says Nonkqubela Maliza, Director: Corporate Government Affairs at Volkswagen South Africa.
“The theme we have chosen for this year’s event is: Read to Succeed as this accurately describes our mission statement.”
Childhood literacy is an integral part of childhood development helping with basic mental, emotional and psychological skills, with each book bringing new learnings, experiences and new ideas. Without a proper foundation in Early Childhood Development, learners struggle to overcome other issues that hinder the education system. Insights from South African Market Insight show that common problems experienced by learners in public schools – specifically in the Eastern Cape in percentages – include lack of teachers (3,5%), high fees (2,2%), lack of books (1,8%) and bad facilities (1,6%) amongst a few.
The two-day conference will kick-off on Wednesday, 13 November, with the Gala event and will be followed on Thursday 14th by 100 Grade R learners from five local primary schools attending a fun and interactive workshop, an informative parents’ workshop to assist in building a culture for reading in all homes as well the main Literacy conference for over 300 literacy advocates to help drive literacy forward.
The VW community trust will celebrate their 30th year anniversary at the Gala dinner, 30 years of meaningful contributions to the community investing over R160 million and partnering with local leaders, peers and experts.
The conference will be facilitated by author and activist, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, along with invited guests, stakeholders and educational experts, including Professors Chris Adendorff, John Aitchison and Di Wilmot, who will tackle this year’s theme of Read to Succeed.
Celebrated actress, storyteller, poet, playwright, director and author, Gcina Mhlophe, will add her voice to the conference.
