A CALL has been made for increased supply and purchase of reading books and textbooks to schools and libraries as it is the only sustainable means to increase literacy and effective education.
Speaking as guest of honour at the Harare City Library last Friday on the occasion of the celebration of Book Aid International book donations to schools in Zimbabwe, Harare City Library vice-chairperson Matthew Chandaengerwa accepted the donations as an affirmation.
“They are really reaffirming your efforts and applauding you for what you’re doing. We want to thank Book Aid International and its local partnership for confirming the work that we are doing,” Chandaengerwa said.
He added that reading is therapeutic and parents and teachers are encouraged to guide children into readers who not only sharpen their minds but are able to identify lasting solutions to problems in life including becoming visionaries.
Eresina Hwede, the IBBY Zimbabwe Section information and communications officer, gave a detailed account of the organisation’s activities, underscoring the power of collaboration in nurturing young readers.
Hwede explained that IBBY Zimbabwe’s main thrust is book distribution to primary schools supported by international well-wishers.
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Over the years, the organisation has pioneered innovative projects such as recording children’s stories on CDs, producing illustrated one-page story sheets and converting local tales into radio dramas that captivate young listeners.
She proudly shared that in 2024, IBBY hosted a workshop on writing for children, resulting in a training module now available for aspiring authors.
In his address, Greenfield Chilongo IBBY Zimbabwe vice-chairperson delivered an enlightening talk that fused passion, humour and profound insight.
He reflected on his own journey as a “product of the Harare City Library”, where he once prepared for A' Level examinations and celebrated the library’s enduring legacy as the cradle of learning.
Chilongo outlined 10 vital reasons why reading should be a lifelong pursuit, among them mental stimulation, stress reduction, knowledge advancement and vocabulary expansion.
”Knowledge advancement is often associated mainly with schools and academic progress, but we also know that there is lots of knowledge in the world, and you cannot stop learning,” he said.
“So the more you read, the more you learn, the more information you have. And also reading inspires you to get more and more knowledge, knowledge which you get and retain and use in your day-to-day life.”
As the event unfolded, IBBY Zimbabwe chairperson Virginia Phiri delivered a captivating speech underscoring the importance of cultivating a reading culture from as early as three years old, emphasising that learning through drawing and visual storytelling is often a child’s first encounter with creativity.
Phiri passionately challenged publishers, booksellers and policymakers to make books more accessible and affordable, not just for schoolchildren, but also for adults seeking lifelong learning.
Adding artistic brilliance to the celebration was Tinashe Muchuri, an actor and novelist, who delivered a whistling poem bursting with rhythm and joy.
Children in attendance, representing various schools, joined in the festivities through poetry recitals and dramatic reading, filling the library with the infectious energy of storytelling.
The event began with an optimistic tone, set by Stima, the Harare City Library human resources officer, whose opening remarks foretold a day of entertainment, learning and community spirit.
She reminded all present that the Harare City Library was not just a public facility, but a community-owned treasure in addition to being a space where every stakeholder, from parent to pupil and partner, should play a role in sustaining its mission.
Other speakers included author and academic Memory Chirere, Mwazvita Patricia Madondo, the chief executive for Consultus Publishing Services and Natsai Gurira, the managing director of College Press.
They collectively underscored the importance of reading, book ownership and knowledge sharing as essential tools for personal and national development.