In the words of the former editor of The Namibian, Gwen Lister, “Unless Namibia starts reading, we cannot make progress”.

 Reading is rarely given attention and only encouraged in formal school but not in general. 

The truth is, a nation that does not read is a nation that fails by default. 

For us to make progress, we need to read more and create a conducive reading culture within schools, institutions of higher learning, communities and the country at large. 

Neglecting reading in schools, institutions of higher learning and communities on a personal level and the nation at large inevitably results in more problems and few solutions. 

It is so sad to have a community library with outdated books – the same books that have been on shelves for over a decade and no new ones brought in. 

Every solution that we need to remedy the socio-economic problems that are on a rampage is available in books. Reading can open our minds to see the world differently. 

The world has transformed so fast, and having a welcoming reading culture can be our counter-attack towards problems that are holding this country back. 

Reading is crucial to education. A conducive reading culture enhances literacy skills, vocabulary and comprehension. 

It also lays a foundation for success in formal education by improving people’s analytical abilities, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Moreover, a conducive reading culture leads to better communication – both in written and spoken forms. It is interesting to note that the negative reading culture, which is widespread, is the reason some individuals in positions of authority struggle to express themselves well in the official language (English).

 It can also be said that the reason most students fail English in formal schools is because there is no strong reading culture in schools. 

A good reading culture empowers people to navigate their lives better and effectively. This can be achieved by equipping people with the tools needed to make informed decisions – which can range from health choices, personal finances, emotional well-being or civic participation. 

A nation with strong positive reading skills is likely to have access to better job opportunities and vastly contribute to a country’s economic growth and competitiveness. 

In addition, a conducive reading culture leads to more emerging writers. It is fascinating to say that there are passionate writers in Namibia but due to the negative reading culture, they are held back from pursuing their passion for writing. One would say, “What’s the point of writing if there is no market to read and review my work?” 

We all need feedback to keep us on track. Passion that is not valued is short-lived. Another would say, “What’s in it for me – being a writer can’t take me anywhere in Namibia”.

 If we don’t alter the negative reading culture in Namibia, many problems at hand will compound and overwhelm us before our eyes; native passionate writers will seize to write, students will keep failing English, our communication skills at our workplaces will remain poor, and our diverse culture in print will gradually die out. 

No nation can ever prosper with old ideas or formulas to solve problems. 

As the saying goes, “Old ideas are the biggest liabilities”. Time is of the essence to change the rusted reading culture in Namibia. 

To conclude, we need to change our perspective on how we view reading. 

The prosperity of a nation comes from the shared responsibility of its citizens who possess a wide range of information and skills. It is interesting that no matter how the world has evolved, today’s books remain the most resourceful sources of information.

 *Daniel Sampayo is a freelance teacher and writer.