As part of its Reading for Redemption programme, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), in partnership with the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), will commemorate World Book Day tomorrow, 23 April in the North West province.
The event will commence with the handing over of books to the Rooigrond Correctional Centre, outside Mahikeng, to encourage reading among offenders and officials, followed by a door-to-door reading campaign in the Ratlou and Tswaing Local Municipalities and culminate with a formal programme at Delareyville stadium.
World Book Day is celebrated annually on 23 April. It is an internationally recognised event that celebrates books and a love for reading.
Stakeholders within the book value chain play an important role in encouraging a culture of reading, providing access to books and creating an appreciation for the value of books by contributing towards a literate and educated nation. This year’s theme is: “In books I find…, friends, answers, inspiration, memories, education, information, a bright future, imagination, love, hope and peace.”
Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele officially launched the Reading for Redemption campaign on 17 September 2012. Within two months of the announcement of the campaign, more than a million rand worth of books were donated to inmates. The donors included Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Van Schaik Bookstore, NLSA as well as Rotary.
Earlier this month, 9 April 2013 Professor Musa Xulu, Deputy Commissioner: Marketing and Research, became the first DCS head office official to donate books he authored himself. Prof. Xulu donated four copies of his book titled “Fire, Wind and Storm (Death of the village drum)”, as well as four copies of a book titled “Transport Renewal - The Story of the N2” which he researched, compiled and edited.
Minister Ndebele said: “Statistics, and analysis, show strong links between literacy and crime levels. Through the ‘Reading for Redemption’ programme, we are calling on all organs of society to donate constructive books to aid the department’s path towards the rehabilitation of offenders. Reading is one of the best ways to build character. The books will be used to instil a culture of reading and learning in offenders. We want to encourage inmates to read, study and work.
“As the reading culture in our country remains minimal, DCS is working towards promoting a culture of reading and writing in our correctional centres. We want to project reading as a fun activity that expands horizons of knowledge, for both offenders and officials. This includes a sustained reading promotion strategy, as a widespread culture of reading, and writing, will assist offenders to meet the demands of a knowledgeable society. Through a collective effort, we must instil a love for reading and create a reading community in our correctional centres in South Africa. We are also hosting Book Debates, where offenders are given books to read and, thereafter, engage in discussions and debates about the books. Such activities must become part of the daily lives of our offender communities,” Minister Ndebele said.
Deputy Commissioner for Policy Coordination and Research, Ms Noluthando Sihlezana, said DCS was exploring visual libraries and e-books to embrace the technological advances and to make reading material easily accessible to officials and offenders. “We are in the 21st century. This year, 2013 has been declared The Year of the Correctional Official, and we want to channel our resources towards the development of officials through reading and learning. Reading is one way of capacitating officials to do more, and, at the same time, enable the department to become information driven,” Ms Sihlezana said.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
