Encouraging a love of reading, stories & books

The Franschhoek Literary Festival Schools Programme kicked off before the Franschhoek Literary Festival that took place in Franschhoek in May. Over the past 15 years, Franschhoek Reading, an initiative of the Franschhoek Literary Festival, made a significant investment in four primary schools in the Franschhoek area. From May 15 - 19 May the reading promotion was curated by the FLF Team and facilitated by the library facilitators at each school.

Franschhoek Reading had several objectives, including encouraging young people to use libraries, strengthening their appreciation for books and reading, increasing awareness of the joys of reading, exposing children to activities that promote a love of words, stories, and books, and transferring skills amongst educators and library facilitators.

Elitha van der Sandt, Franschhoek Literary Festival Director, commented, “It was an opportunity to connect learners to words, songs, play, and stories in a fun, non-intimidating way. One could not simply give a child a book and say it’s important to read. We needed to make them fall in love with words and stories. And where did they find these? In books.”

The Franschhoek Literary Festival Schools Programme, with the support of Franschhoek Reading, emphasized the crucial role of reading in the lives of young children. Through their investment and dedication, they fostered a love for literature that will continue to impact the children’s lives.

Is reading books still relevant in this day and Age?

Reading books is incredibly important in our lives, and it offers us a treasure trove of advantages. It’s not just about gaining knowledge and expanding our vocabulary; reading also sharpens our thinking skills and helps us understand others better. In today’s fast-paced world, where we’re bombarded with constant notifications and distractions from technology, reading a good book provides a much-needed break and a form of self-care.

Books have a unique power to transport us to different places and times. They expose us to diverse cultures and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding. This is crucial in our increasingly interconnected world. Moreover, books offer an experience that digital media simply can’t replicate. The touch and smell of a book, the act of turning pages, and the ability to mark and highlight passages create a sensory delight that screens can’t match.

In conclusion, books are just as relevant now as they were centuries ago.

They are essential for learning, personal growth, and entertainment. While technology offers many resources, it can’t replace the joy of reading a good book. So, let’s embrace the magic of reading, explore new worlds, and reap the countless benefits that books offer. Start reading today, and embark on a lifelong journey of knowledge, imagination, and personal enrichment.

LEGO City becomes a canvas to create

Visitors to the V&A Waterfront’s main Centre will have likely done a double take as LEGO® City characters appeared to leap and even zip line from the walls in the brand’s latest digital out-of-home (OOH) advertising offering that brings the LEGO world to life.

The innovative 3D digital billboard forms part of the brand’s Your City, No Limits campaign and depicts a mash-up of various LEGO City scenes, characters, and features from across the range of LEGO City sets, designed using naked eye 3D image technology that creates a sensory illusion. V4GOOD, the creative agency responsible for the billboard’s design and execution, worked closely with VFX suppliers based in Los Angeles to bring the concept to life, with little turnaround time to spare.

Leanne Lombard, LEGO MEA Marketing Manager, says, “We wanted to stablish the cool factor into our LEGO City portfolio for LEGO South Africa with a strong connection to and engagement with kids and shoppers, and the LEGO City 3D billboard certainly achieves this, breaking through the marketing clutter, creating talkability and exciting kids and adults alike.

“With kids in control, each LEGO City becomes a canvas to create, play and live out stories from their imaginations. Each set offers iconic and easily decodable models anchored, empowering kids to create and shape their cities in their own ways.”

South Africa’s education system has suffered significant setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as highlighted by the recently released 2021 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) results. The country’s average PIRLS score plummeted from 320 in 2016 to 288 in 2021, indicating a substantial decline of 32 points. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the Western Cape, which achieved the highest score of 363, surpassing the national average by a staggering 75 points.

Recognizing the urgent need to address these learning losses, the Western Cape has taken decisive action. They have implemented the Western Cape Reading Strategy, an initiative aimed at strengthening reading performance across all grade levels. In the 2022/23 financial year, an allocation of R118 million has been made for a Foundation Phase reading program in three languages. This program includes training, the distribution of decodable readers, and anthologies for Grades 1 to 3. Furthermore, an additional allocation of R288 million over the next three financial years has been made to enhance this existing support.

Another key measure taken by the Western Cape is the decision to allocate an extra two hours per week for reading within the school day during the 3rd and 4th terms of 2022. The PIRLS results unequivocally indicate that the pandemic has undone years of educational progress, jeopardizing the futures of the youngest learners. To combat this dire situation, the Western Cape is investing an additional R1.2 billion into the #BackOnTrack program over the next three years. This program aims to improve learning outcomes across all phases, ensuring a brighter future for the children in the Western Cape.

Targeted support will be provided to 333 selected schools based on systemic test results, in addition to the 1,100 schools already receiving extra assistance in the Foundation Phase since 2022. This support will benefit approximately 126,000 learners, 8,980 teachers, and 28,000 parents, in addition to the existing participation of 310,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in the Foundation Phase.

“The collective efforts of all stakeholders are crucial in getting our children #BackOnTrack. Let us unite in prioritizing education and working towards a better future for the youth.”