By Nobuhle Ngema
On the 3rd of May, Habitat61 gathered various stakeholders such as the Redtree publishers, young writers, educators, City of Ekurhuleni, and various Kathorus high schools, in support of a compelling collection of short stories authored by high school learners from different schools across Ekurhuleni. The project was initiated through a short story competition under Naludaba Literature Festival.
“Our vision when we started the programme was to create reading and writing culture in high schools. We work with different schools, different teachers and they always say the same – kids are disengaged with the curriculum, they don’t want to read, they keep failing…” mentioned Poppy Makhubo, Director of Habitat61 and Naludaba Literature Festival.
Naludaba Literature Festival was initiated in 2021, when there was a national crises of grade 4’s inability to read, and Habitat61 wondered how they can mitigate the crises, and Unaludaba emerged as a platform for that while Habitat61 remains an NPO that facilitates all these programs – creative writing, poetry, short stories.
Habitatat61 has applied for various sponsorships and investments, but the only strategies that has been working so far is people donating.
That’s how the partnership with Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Director at Redtree publishers came about. He published Echoes of us free of charge when the kids wanted to publish a book but had no funds. He said: “I did it because of the passion I have for literature, and for promoting culture of reading and writing. People are no longer reading. So when you see kids on their writing journey that is inspiring.”
The anthology presents a raw and authentic voices of young writers reflecting on personal and social challenges such as school-based violence, bullying, peer pressure and addiction.
Nonhlanhla Bhanda, 17, from Eden Park Secondary school, one of the writers of Echoes of us, got her inspiration of writing from her home situation, looking back how her mother became a rock for them being a single mother, who played a role of being both a mother and a father. She never imagined herself writing anything other than what she’s been writing – songs. “However, it feels great to know that I’m no longer an aspiring writer, but an author although that came with challenges of coming up with ideas.” She encourages writing and reading every day. She said, “fou you cannot be a writer who don’t read.”
The City of Ekurhuleni supports literature because it is a tool for empowerment, education, and social cohesion. Through our libraries, we promote access to books, local authors, and reading programmes that help build an informed and active citizenry. To strengthen the culture of reading, Bafana Moholo, a Liberian, believes community-based initiatives are needed, especially those that involves young people and local writers. “Also,” he added, “libraries must continue evolving into vibrant, inclusive spaces where reading feels relevant and enjoyable.”
Educators couldn’t consent more on this. They believe they have paved a way for the learners and emphasized the importance of reading, and they want to bring back reading culture because information and knowledge is hidden in books in libraries.
“Our generation has become a lost generation. They have resorted to digitals, and they mostly use them for the wrong reasons – it is our job to bring them back by promoting culture of reading.” Said one of the educators, Mrs Mohale.
Parents also supports the programme and believe it keeps their children busy, and not scattered.
Echoes of us book can be accessed on 0714595382
1961legacy@gmail.com
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