Reading changes lives

Reading is a necessity since it is to the mind what exercise is to the body. It drives everything, expands horizons and helps people to escape pitiful situations (it is important if we wish to change our untold vistas).  Quoting Mortimer Adler, an American professor, reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

Books help to thwart illiteracy; it improves vocabulary, word power and critical thinking.

Reading books, newspapers and magazines triggers a passion for writing. The more people read the better they become writers and this is helpful to our local publishing industry.

Books help people to be knowledgeable. Information and knowledge help a person to make correct decisions in different situations in life.

Remember information is power and knowledge is authority. According to former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, knowledge is power and information is liberating. To have that power and liberation, Zimbabwe needs to be a nation that reads.

Parents should take responsibilities of educating their children by reading books to them and encouraging them to read on their own as well. They (parents) should make kids appreciate books.

Lack of access to reading materials published in the local or vernacular language discourages people from reading.

Our libraries are poor in local content but full of outdated and foreign materials.

Thus, the government should outsource and distribute books to local libraries and schools. The government should also promote the use of libraries.

Libraries are delivery rooms for the birth of ideas, places where history comes to life (Norman Cousins, an American political journalist, author, professor and world peace advocate).

Good libraries are places, palaces where the lofty spirits of all nations and generations meet (Samuel Niger, 1883-1956).

My message to Zimbabweans, buy books, read books and share books!

Lazarus Sauti