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Founder and director of Mandelwa Creative Pty Ltd, Pumeza Macingwane, promoted reading by launching a Mandelwa Libali Festival that was held in Mount Frere, recently.
She said the aim of this festival was to promote reading, and to ensure that people and learners tell their stories in different ways.
According to her, a call for submissions of poems and short stories was made and more than 150 learners submitted their pieces, in which the top 10 received certificates and incentives of R500 each.
“Participants were allowed to use both Xhosa and English. Author and playwright, Sonwabo Yawa, was the adjudicator. It was really pleasing to see such a positive response and we do hope that the festival will improve the appreciation of literary arts and people will start to tell their own stories,” said Macingwane.
She added that some teachers went out of their way to support learners who were keen on participating, and she was hoping that they will receive support to bring the festival back next year.
Macingwane added that they have also worked with different stakeholders on this initiative. According to her, they also had a road trip from Gqeberha to Mount Frere last year, where they donated books to some of the schools.
She confirmed that they had also donated books at James Kobi Primary School and Qunu Primary School in Mthatha.
“We are worried because the statistics are saying that some learners who are doing Grade 4 are unable to read, and it is hard for them to understand essays. By hosting this festival, we are making sure that we are reaching even the schools that are in deep rural areas.”
