As part of its 2026 Youth Month programme, the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), in partnership with the National Library of Parliament, Msunduzi Library Services, Western Cape Provincial Library Services, and Eastern Cape Provincial Library Services, officially launched the Intergenerational Dialogue and the National Reading Ambassadors Programme.
Hosted at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament and livestreamed to reading hubs across South Africa, the event brought together young people, educators, librarians, policymakers, and community leaders under the theme: “The Landscape of South African Democracy: 50 Years Since the Soweto Uprising – Youth Voices, Reading and Democracy.”
The NLSA’s Pretoria Campus was one of the identified reading hubs which hosted students from the University of South Africa.The programme commemorated the legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising while creating a platform for meaningful conversations between generations on the importance of reading, literacy, and active citizenship in strengthening South Africa’s democracy.
A key highlight of the occasion was the official Reading Ambassadors Pledge, during which participating organisations and stakeholders reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting reading, literacy, and lifelong learning across South Africa. The pledge symbolised a collective responsibility to nurture a culture of reading and to inspire future generations to become informed citizens and lifelong learners.
The event also highlighted the value of collaboration in addressing literacy challenges and ensuring that libraries remain relevant, accessible, and responsive to the needs of communities.
As South Africa reflects on 50 years since the Soweto Uprising, the National Reading Ambassadors Programme served as a powerful reminder that reading, education, and dialogue remain fundamental to preserving democracy, empowering young people, and shaping a more inclusive future. Through these initiatives, the NLSA continues to champion literacy as a cornerstone of nation-building and social development.