Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, together with the Education Department, held a celebration to encourage literacy, especially among the adult population in the Sisonke District.
Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development MEC Lydia Johnson, handed out certificates to adult learners who successfully completed the adult basic education and training (ABET) and Masifundisane programmes from the Sangwaba area in Ixopo.
Over 4 000 learners have enrolled for the programmes in Sisonke so far.
"It also gives me a great sense of joy to see so many learners which gives an indication of the level of participation of our people in the ABET and Masifundisane programme," said Johnson.
She added: "There are so many people who walk tall and have pride because of the empowerment they got from the programme. Ogogo, Nomkhulu can now write their names and read their letters and bibles with ease."
The ABET and Masifundisane Literacy Campaigns were launched to help South Africans adapt in a technologically advancing country, to help fight poverty and empower people to play meaningful roles in their communities.
Johnson also took the opportunity to advise the public on HIV and Aids prevention and the seriousness of the illness.
In addition, she asked the community to adhere to the One home, One garden initiative and extend it to schools and churches to help sustain their lives.
The MEC also visited nearby homes and spoke to the families, discovering that some of them did not have identity documents.
They were urged to make arrangements to get their identity documents because they met the social grant requirements. In doing so, these families could receive assistance in combating poverty.
