BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MANZINI – Literacy should be understood as more than the ability to read and write, as it equips people with skills to understand information, think critically, make informed decisions and participate meaningfully in society, Eswatini National Commission for UNESCO Secretary-General Lwandle Simelane has said.
Speaking during an International Literacy Day event held under the theme “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.” She said literacy enables people to understand not only written words but also the world around them, making it an important tool for personal development, healthier communities and sustainable progress.
Simelane said digital literacy, financial literacy, media literacy and numeracy as essential skills needed to navigate modern society. Digital literacy enables people to participate safely and meaningfully in an increasingly digital world, while financial literacy helps people understand money, make informed financial decisions and plan for the future.
Media literacy, she added, helps people distinguish information from misinformation and separate fact from opinion, while numeracy enables people to understand and use numbers in everyday life.
Simelane said literacy also has a direct impact on people’s health and wellbeing because those who can understand health information are better positioned to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
She said young people who can access, understand and question information are better equipped to learn, innovate and create opportunities for themselves and others. “When communities are literate, they are better able to participate in decisions that affect their lives,” Simelane said.
She further described literacy as a form of freedom because it gives people the ability to form their own thoughts and opinions. Simelane encouraged people to read widely and critically, particularly in the digital age where information can spread rapidly.
She warned that without critical reading skills, people can easily be influenced by misinformation, manipulation and prejudice. She said literacy also influences how people communicate and make decisions, including understanding whether the information they share and the words they use are constructive or destructive.
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