South Africa: PPEN launches the Big Read campaign
The Big Read is a campaign produced by the Global Campaign for Education and South Africa’s Public Participation in Education Network (PPEN). The movement aims to encourage public participation in education in creative ways, including The Big Read book, which is an exciting book specifically designed to campaign for education and literacy. The Big Read book is a special collection of short stories and poems that contains an amazing array of stories from inspiring people and since April this year has been read by more than 13 million people
around the world.
What? The Public Participation in Education Network (PPEN) launches the Big Read campaign in South Africa
Authors of the Big Read will speak out about education in South Africa and introduce their stories in PPEN’s Big Read.
Who? Rosie Motene, Simpiwe Dana, Mandla Langa, Carol Bouwer, Rev. Ishmael Mkhabela, Salim Vally, and children from Soweto and Alexandra
When? Tuesday 16th June 10.30am – 12.30pm
Where? Xarra Books, Jeppe Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
You are invited to join prominent writers, singers and human rights activists to commemorate June 16th and to launch the Big Read in South Africa.
The Big Read is a campaign produced by the Global Campaign for Education and South Africa’s Public Participation in Education Network (PPEN). The movement aims to encourage public participation in education in creative ways, including The Big Read book, which is an exciting book specifically designed to campaign for education and literacy.
The Big Read book is a special collection of short stories and poems that contains an amazing array of stories from inspiring people and since April this year has been read by more than 13 million people around the world. The short stories tell remarkable tales of education and the struggles overcome to learn, from authors including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Alice Walker, Lebo Mashile, Gcina Mhlope, Basetsana Kumalo, Simphiwe Dana and many others.
The Big Read authors, along with PPEN members, will come together on June 16 at Newtown’s popular Xarra Books, to launch the campaign and to speak out about the specific needs of education in South Africa today.
“Those who have signed up to PPEN’s recent call to action firmly believe in taking forward the struggle for literacy and quality public education. A struggle so many of our compatriots sacrificed their lives for during the 1976 Uprising”, says Salim Vally from the Education Rights Project.
The Public Participation in Education Network was formed in December last year to bring together numerous organisations and individuals with the aim to re-vitalise the campaign for quality public education. PPEN’s ‘Call to Action’ states: “South Africans face an important moment in our history. Almost fifteen years after our first democratic elections, our education system is in crisis. It is not a technical problem to be solved by experts but a national disaster requiring our collective efforts. The majority of children in South Africa are not learning to read and write with any confidence. Too many schools are bleak and uninspiring places for our children and teachers. If we do not act decisively now, we run the risk as a nation of ‘getting used to this’”.
“South Africa is a one of the countries that is awfully stricken by illiteracy. This initiative by PPEN is a worthwhile contribution towards alleviating the scourge. It is a campaign that should be supported by all South Africans in all their structures from government to civil society,” said the recent winner of Commonwealth Writers Prize for the Africa Region, Mandla Langa.
In support of the Big Read and PPEN Basetsana Kumalo said, “I’ve always been inspired by education because I believe it can change your destiny. Education is a value, the one thing that nobody can ever take away from you. It’s something that opens doors. It is something that creates a platform for greater opportunities. Through education you can be able to debate issues and challenge government and legislation.”
The Big Read book is available to everyone via the website [email protected] 011 447 4111 or 083 536 4447
Public Participation in Education Network (PPEN) is a collection of individuals and organisations in South Africa who believe that South Africa needs to urgently redress the education situation in South Africa and provide everyone, no matter their income or background, with a good quality, corruption‐free education. Anyone can add their name to PPEN’s call to action on
The Big Read is a compilation of short stories about education. The book has something for everyone and is designed to inspire and motivate the reader to campaign for education. After reading the story the reader can sign up to the PPEN call to action, and set up reading clubs. The Big Read has stories from Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Natalie Portman, Gcina Mhlope, Basetsana Kumalo, George Bizos, Queen Rania or Jordan, Chimananda Ngozi Adichie, Paulo Coelho, Ishmael Beah, Angelique Kidjo, Simphiwe Dana, Mary Robinson, Devli Kumari, Dakota Blue Richards, Michael Morporgo, Rowan Williams, Beverley Naidoo, Eric Miyeni, Karabo Kgomotso Kgoleng, Nomsa Mazwai, Lebo Mashile, Xoliswa Sithole, Karen Press, Siphokazi Maraqana, Rosie Motene and Mandla Langa