Zimbabwe International Book Fair boosts practical skills, reading culture

Langalakhe MabenaTHE Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBFA), held at the Large City Hall on Thursday and yesterday, once again powerfully affirmed its essential role in nurturing a reading culture among students and actively promoting practical, hands-on learning across Zimbabwe.With a diverse mix of participants, including academic institutions, public libraries, and educational suppliers, the fair provided a rich opportunity for individuals to explore the world of books and ideas. Among the notable exhibitors were the Bulawayo Public Library, Dream Discovery Publishers, and the University of Zimbabwe Bookshop, each reinforcing the fair’s significance within the country’s academic and literary landscape. Schools such as Mpopoma High, Tennyson, Henry Low, Pumula High, Milton Junior and High, Emakhandeni High, Luveve, and Sizane High were actively engaged, eager to absorb the knowledge and inspiration on offer.One of the fair’s key contributors, Justin Manja, manager at Model Education Suppliers, underscored the importance of equipping students with practical skills that can be applied directly in the workforce.

His organisation, known for distributing educational materials written by local authors, showcased a wide selection of titles covering subjects such as Agriculture, Carpentry, Mechanics, Welding, Bricklaying, and Computer Science.Manja shared a forward-thinking vision for Zimbabwe, centred on the development of a skilled and innovative workforce. He emphasised that practical learning not only imparts essential skills but also enhances critical thinking, which is crucial for career readiness and entrepreneurship.“When people talk about reading, many assume it’s limited to novels and literature. At our stand at ZIBFA, we chose to highlight practical books, many of which were written by local authors.

We believe the practical books purchased from us will enhance students’ knowledge and refine their skills as they prepare to become hands-on professionals who will drive the country’s economy,” said Manja.Renowned literature writer Barbara Clara Makhalisa-Nkala also lent her voice to the fair, passionately advocating for the revival of Zimbabwe’s reading culture, particularly in indigenous languages. She described these languages as a cornerstone of national heritage and urged parents to encourage reading from an early age.“There is an urgent need to revive the reading culture, especially in indigenous languages, as that is an integral part of our national identity. Parents should encourage their children to read from an early age.

The reading culture begins at home,” urged Makhalisa-Nkala.Rita Budi, Chief Librarian at the Bulawayo Public Library, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the fair’s role in reigniting students’ interest in reading while providing them with original, syllabus-aligned materials. She remarked that the strong turnout was proof of learners’ eagerness to read, though many may lack access to appropriate resources.“The turnout at the fair clearly shows that our learners are eager to read, but they may not always have access to the right materials. With exhibitors from across Zimbabwe, the books on display covered nearly every subject in our syllabus.

They were also priced affordably, and I hope students found the books they needed to support their studies,” said Budi.Among the students attending was Tinotenda Munatsi, a Lower 6 pupil from Emakhandeni High, who shared how the fair broadened his perspective. Although he initially attended just for the event, he ended up receiving valuable career guidance from the various stands, which he believes will help shape his future path.“The information I got will help me as I plan my future,” Munatsi explained.Many exhibitors reported strong sales over the two days, with Ndebele novels proving especially popular. Interestingly, it was older readers who gravitated towards these nostalgic titles, perhaps seeking to relive cherished literary memories from years gone by.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald

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