Literacy gives adults new independence

Ondangwa Urban constituency regional councillor Leonard Negonga on Tuesday encouraged adults who struggle with reading and writing to resume their education, stating that such a decision is not a sign of failure but rather a testament to courage.

Negonga addressed attendees during the celebration of Adult Learners Week and International Literacy Day at Oluno Community Hall in the Oshana region.

This year's commemoration was held under the theme 'Literacy for People, the Planet, and Prosperity'.

Negonga underscored that literacy empowers individuals with dignity, confidence and independence.

"A person who can read, write and perform calculations is better equipped to make informed decisions regarding their health, finances, children's education and societal participation," he said.

Lives changed

Two adult learners also shared their stories about how literacy has transformed their lives.

Anna Nangolo (60), who is enrolled at the Oluno Adult Literacy Centre, expressed her joy in now being able to read and write.

"At the age of 60, I can now write my name and read text messages sent to me. This has truly changed my life, as I no longer need to ask strangers to read texts for me," she said.

“I dropped out in lower primary and couldn’t read in Oshiwambo or English. I urge other elderly individuals to participate in literacy programmes. The world has shifted towards digital communication, and it’s crucial that we adapt," she added.

Another participant, Sakaria Matheus, conveyed how literacy has safeguarded him from fraud. "Joining a literacy programme has significantly impacted me. I'm now able to protect myself from scammers because I understand better. I know that no bank will request my account details via phone calls," he said.

He said he can withdraw his money independently now and read his bank notifications without needing assistance.

A bigger world

Reading gives citizens a chance to better participate in community and other affairs, including being able to read text messages on mobile phones, understanding government notices, completing forms, maintaining business records, following instructions, and communicating effectively with others.

With this year’s theme incorporating ‘the planet’, Negonga explained that an informed community is more adept at addressing challenges such as climate change.

"Through literacy and lifelong learning, communities are better prepared to engage in water conservation, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and environmental protection," he said.

Discussing prosperity, he noted that it is not solely measured by national economic figures or large investments. Instead, prosperity can be found in the household where a parent effectively manages a small business and in community members who master financial record-keeping.

"Being able to read and write with comprehension opens numerous opportunities. As leaders in Oshana, we recognise that education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming our communities," Negonga said.