By Lwazi Nongauza

“Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” Nelson Mandela

This  will be the overriding theme at the young people led ”Nelson Mandela Day Literacy Fun Long Walk in Khayeslitsha on the 18th of July.

Cape Town based Activator Thando Mkhoyi, together with his social enterprise ”Double Keys Production’’ team, will use Mandela Day to fundraise for his literacy intervention in Khayelitsha and nearby townships.

The event aims to highlight the current literacy crises and also teach the public about the possible potential social transformation education has for the current and future youth. In explaining the significance of the Mandela Day Literacy Fun Walk, Robert McKee explained that storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world.

”We are hoping to cultivate a culture of storytelling, reading aloud and play based approach in order to contribute towards literacy development especially in disadvantaged areas like Khayelitsha, where a child who is born from this community is only exposed to 8 million words and even less than a child who is born from an advantaged community and professional family who is exposed to 43 million words in their early years,” said Mkhoyi.

Among many other innovative support campaigns Mkhoyi ‘s  organization ”Double Keys Production” intends to use Mandela Day Literacy Fun Walk to fundraise for the grassroots literacy initiative to educate the public so that children who continue to experience the power of storytelling end up doing well in their academic journey. According to Mkhoyi, this is one of many things that the late President Nelson Mandela died still advocating for.

“Education and kids support were some of Mandela’s notable core-values. This annual Madiba’s long walk to better develop education system is one of many commitment signs by our dedicated team which will ensure his legacy continues daily. That’s why even in the coming months we are planning to host many follow-up literacy initiatives that support the Mandela Day Literacy Fun Walk vision,” said Mkhoyi

Mkhoyi went on to say the gift of education is indeed something to be celebrated. Education is an investment essential to empowering individuals to reach their full potential and to make their own positive impact on the world. To work towards Mandela’s honorable vision of a free and equal society, the world will require the knowledge, resources and insight that education brings.

One of the prominent Khayelitsha based writers, Daluxolo Hoho, who is expected to attend the event, has pleaded with community members to support the event.

”I strongly believe that some of Khayelitsha’s problems can be directly linked to illiteracy. Therefore if as the residents of this troubled townships we are serious in our quest of turning the Khayelitsha narrative around and keep Nelson Mandelas education legacy going, then we all have to attend Double Keys Production’s Mandela Day Literacy Fun Walk,” said Hoho.

Activators and all other members of society who wish to support the initiative are encouraged to contact Double Keys Production project manager Zuko Petse or Yandiswa Pearls  on doublekeysproductions@gmail.com