Abstract
M.Ed.
The language policy of South Africa recognises 11 official languages, all of which
have been given equal status, but many of these languages are hardly being promoted in schools and public life. It is clear that the status of Afrikaans, for one, is gradually dwindling. The reading of literature is an important factor in sustaining and promoting the vitality of a language.
The aim of this study is to find out what the reading preference of Black adolescents
in the rural area of Majemantsho in Mafikeng in the North West Province is. For this
aim to be achieved, an interpretative design was applied and the qualitative data collection method used, which includes interviews.
The major finding of this investigation is that these teenagers like to read literature,
but with the proviso that the texts have to do with what is currently happening in
their lives and can help them to solve their life problems. They also prefer to read
about characters that are role models, for example, heroes, celebrities, public
figures and characters of their own age group.
The main implications of these findings are:
There is a need for teenagers to be given a chance to choose literary texts.
There is a need for some form of communication between the Department of
Education, writers, publishers, educators, librarians, teenagers, and all other
stakeholders involved in the choice of adolescent literary texts.
Teachers of literature should also improve their methods of teaching literature.
Afrikaans literature lessons like those in other languages should be kept
stimulating and relevant to their target group