Literature’s Power to Connect Communities

From small folded papers tossed across desks in a lively classroom to the richly scented love letters exchanged between hearts, words have a remarkable power to forge connections, fostering lifelong relationships and bridging distances. Words also carry vital knowledge—whether in a simple office memo or a comprehensive textbook—sharing essential information that shapes our world. Literature, in particular, stands as a timeless medium of self-expression: from a heartfelt poem by a 5th grader to the timeless masterpieces of Shakespeare and Maya Angelou, it breathes life into thoughts and emotions.

Literature is defined as any collection of written or oral work valued as a work of art or lasting expression.

This includes any written material, such as informational texts, brochures, or technical manuals. In the artistic arena, literature incorporates creative use of words, beauty of expression, and universal appeal. Traditionally, literature was spoken or sung. Stories were passed down through generations before being written down. Storytelling around the fireplace was a way to pass information and tradition to the next generation.

Literature comes in various forms: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Factual writing. Within creative writing, there is Poetry, Drama/Film, and Music. Literacy is not about accumulating certificates but about empowering individuals to read and comprehend a text or interpret symbols. It is the ability to make sense of words and the world around us. Reading, therefore, is an exploration of literature that takes us through miles of knowledge, which in turn enhances wisdom: Wisdom being the ability to apply knowledge.

On the other hand, being literate enables one to express oneself through words in a way that is understood by others. This self-expression manifests as people write messages on phones, emails, work memos, music, plays, scripts, and even books.

Literacy empowers communities and nations at large. This is why most African countries launched Adult Literacy programmes as soon as they gained independence. Namibia launched major adult literacy programmes after achieving independence in September 1992 - the National Literacy Programme in Namibia (NLPN). The main goal was to provide basic reading, writing, and maths skills to adults and out-of-school youth who missed formal education during the colonial era and liberation struggle. The initiative helped raise the national adult literacy rate from roughly 65% in 1991 to over 81% by 2001 (UNESCO).

A significant advantage of being literate is that it empowers individuals to contribute fully to their personal growth and societal development. Africa is privileged to possess a wealth of knowledge in our elders, but very little of that information has been transcribed into a medium that will preserve it for future use. It is recommended that we invest time and resources to mine this wealth, document it, utilise it, and preserve it for generations to come.

Many years ago, in pre-school, I experienced terrible eye problems until my grandfather took me to a certain tree where he extracted milk from the bark, dropped it into my eyes, and I was cured forever. A friend had a grandfather who could cure snakebites; another friend had a grandmother who was a snake charmer. Many of us knew someone with remarkable skills or knowledge, but those people took their knowledge to their graves. Literacy, therefore, needs to shift from merely reading and writing to researching and documenting information that improves lives within our African context.

There is an abundance of literature available across libraries and online platforms, yet the selection of local literature in native languages remains limited. Increasing the availability of books, plays, and other literary works authored by local writers in all indigenous languages is necessary. However, this directive faces significant systemic challenges, including lack of publishing houses willing or equipped to handle indigenous language materials, insufficient funding and mentorship opportunities for emerging local authors, and limited distribution networks that can effectively reach diverse communities. Addressing these deficiencies is crucial, as simply calling for more availability without tackling these foundational issues will likely yield minimal sustainable progress.

In the 21st century, literacy isn’t just about reading and writing; it is bigger than that. It cannot be separated from emotional intelligence, which is the ability to understand and manage one's emotions, and to comprehend others’ emotions. Literacy is also about connecting the dots and using information to create something new, such as new meanings, products, or services.

As we celebrate Literacy Month, let us be intentional about how we can creatively contribute to the betterment of our communities.

HOTA Team.

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