To encourage a lifetime love for reading in learners, the Education, Arts, and Culture Ministry launched the Readathon Week at Otjiwarongo.

Readathon is a weeklong festival of reading, held annually in schools across Namibia.

Reading is a lifelong skill that improves memory, builds a robust vocabulary, and enhances the foundation of knowledge.

Throughout the week, learners participate in a variety of reading-related activities, such as read-aloud sessions, spelling bees, storytelling, and poetry reading.

Uerivangera Tjivikua, Deputy Director for Education in the Otjozondjupa Region, explained that "These activities are designed not only to entertain but also to inspire learners to explore the limitless wealth of literature. Today we invite you to embark on this literary journey, where the only limit is your imagination."

Even though the Readathon is targeting learners, the Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Marlayn Mbakera, encouraged everyone to take reading seriously.

"Parents must also read. Not only the learners, the parents should read so that they de-stress. I have read somewhere that reading takes away stress. It helps your mental capacity; it helps you to remember things. You know, as you grow older, you start to forget. Tell them when you get home, mama, papa, oupa, and ouma, we must read."

The Readathon also provides an opportunity to expand reading horizons, discover new authors, and connect with others who share the same passion in terms of reading.
 
"Through this initiative, we are not only encouraging as a habit but as a lifelong passion. This year's theme has been thoughtfully chosen to align with the Ministry's strategic objective, which is 'promoting arts and culture for sustainable development'," said Education Deputy Minister Faustina Caley.

This year's Readathon theme is 'Read Namibia: Discovering the Strength of Arts and Culture through Reading'.