There’s something magical about reading aloud – the rhythmic flow of words, the excitement of a new adventure unfolding, and the shared joy of a good story.
This year, the celebration of World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) took on even greater significance, with the hope of reaching millions of children across South Africa and beyond.
Founded by LIT World in 2010, WRAD was created to honour the power of reading aloud, promote community literacy, and share the timeless tradition of storytelling.
And in South Africa, Nal’ibali, the organization driving the project, aims to make this event as far-reaching and impactful as possible.
This year, Nal’ibali has set a bold and ambitious goal – to read aloud to three and a half million children across the country.
From parents and caregivers to teachers and librarians, the idea is to get everyone involved in the magic of reading to children. Libraries are on the frontlines, with events and reading sessions being held across the country.
In Cape Town, the City’s Library and Information Services (LIS) is leading the charge, partnering with Nal’ibali to create a citywide celebration.
In a heartwarming show of support for young patients, Mayor Hill-Lewis and councillor Francine Higham visited the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital on Wednesday read to the children.
"What a pleasure it was to spend the morning reading to the young patients of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
“We often speak of the massive benefit of reading aloud to young children to help expand their language skills and grow their curiosity, but I am convinced the benefit goes both ways, and that reading to children is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
“It is the best way to spend quality time together and bond over an activity that gives them an undeniable head start in life,” said Hill-Lewis.
“I urge all parents to spend some time every day reading to their young children and to make use of our City’s incredible libraries to help feed the reading passion."
Higham encouraged parents to nurture a love for books from a young age:
"Reading aloud to our children, starting from when they are infants, sets them on a path of enjoying books and learning.
“It’s an investment into their growth and education, which only costs some of your time. I want to encourage parents to sign up their children at our libraries no matter how young they are, and make use of our vast range of reading resources."
As Dr. Anita Parbhoo, CEO of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, emphasized, the benefits of reading aloud extend far beyond the pages of a book.
"As we celebrate World Read Aloud Day this year, I encourage all people to embrace the power of reading to help us shape healthier and more prepared children for the future.
“Reading aloud to your children not only enables them to strengthen their language skills but exposes them to new words and ways of expressing themselves.
“These moments also nurture a precious bond between the child and the parent. This is crucial for their overall development and can set the tone for their academic success when they start school and beyond."