“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader,” said American journalist Margaret Fuller.
If true, in a country in desperate need of good, honest, ethical, capable leaders, we sorely require the establishment of a culture of reading in South Africa.
Durban became a Unesco City of Literature in 2017, but I am unaware of any initiatives taken since then to promote literacy in the city ‒ until now.
I can only applaud the eThekwini Municipality’s “Read For Rewards” programme, launched this week, and encourage readers to get to participating libraries.
It appears the municipality is prepared to “bribe” its residents, offering rewards in return for books read.
Now these are bribes I would be happy to see paid. Especially to the youth who, I fear, are far too absorbed in the picture and video fodder offered by social media for what I term “meaningful reading”, reading that gets one reflecting and, hopefully, learning.
Aside from the obvious benefits of reading for pleasure, being transported to places and times few other modes will get us to (sure there are movies, but how often have you heard “the movie was better than the book”?), there are many other benefits to be had.
Increased vocabulary, comprehension and empathy, improved memory and knowledge ‒ all qualities desired in a leader ‒ in addition to low blood pressure and heart rate, reduced depression symptoms and other medical benefits.
May our future leaders come from the community of readers.
The Independent on Saturday