Book fair develops into a literacy initiative

Published novelist and radio host Cinga Dyala, founder of the World of Art Movement, is to host the Uncuthu Lwencwadi Book Fair on Saturday at Cortex Hub. Dyala said thebookfair was more than just a one-day gathering, but a literacy initiative focused on primary schools, high schools and special schools. “The goal is to build a reading and writing community that will continue to grow long after the event ends.” The programme is championed by the World of Art Movement NPC, an organisation based at the Mdantsane Community Arts Centre.

The movement runs a child development programme to nurture young talent in the arts. However, after seeing worrying statistics about illiteracy among school pupils released by Stats SA, the team realised they needed to do more. “The results made us understand that we are facing an issue beyond just nurturing talents,” Dyala said.

“We had to tap into the literature space and launch programmes that speak directly to reading and writing.” Through this new focus, the organisation ran a writing competition for pupils. The winners will have their short stories published in an anthology and their names will be announced on the day of the book fair. “This opportunity gives young writers a platform to shine and see their work in print.