Prof Mkenda drums for revival of reading culture as move to preserves true history of Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Minister for Education, Science and Technology Prof Adolf Mkenda has said that it is necessary for Tanzania to strengthen local publishing and preserve its history, culture and knowledge through books written by Tanzanians to ensure future generations learn about their country from locally documented sources.

Speaking during the opening of the Fourth National Conference on Library Services and the Book and Reading Festival in Dar es Salaam, the minister stated that failure to document the country’s own story risks leaving its history and knowledge dependent on accounts produced outside Tanzania.

According to the minister, the government is determined to continue supporting Tanzanian writers and the publishing industry by helping locally written books reach readers through schools, libraries and community centres.

Additionally, Prof Mkenda urged the Tanzania Library Services Board to increase purchases of books authored by Tanzanians and distribute them to libraries across the country, saying the move will encourage more people to write and strengthen the local publishing industry.

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“I also encourage local government authorities and other institutions to set aside space for community libraries, particularly to give children and young people greater access to reading materials and knowledge,” he said.

On the Mwalimu Nyerere National Award for Creative Writing, the minister said the initiative is  part of government efforts to promote reading, nurture writers and advance Kiswahili while encouraging authors to submit their works for the award and take advantage of opportunities to contribute to the growth of Tanzania’s book industry.

Prof Mkenda said the conference should serve as a catalyst for promoting writing, reading and the preservation of written records, stressing that Tanzanians must take responsibility for documenting their own stories for the benefit of present and future generations.

The conference also featured the launch of the National Integrated Library System, designed to identify and preserve publications produced in Tanzania within the country’s national archival records.