From left: Cape Town deputy mayor Eddie Andrews interacts with Mavis and Roscoe Williams at the launch of a mural along Eisleben Drive, Portland, honouring Dr Athol Williams. Looking on are pupils from Westridge High.
Image: Alicia English
Literacy organisation Read to Rise paid special tribute to its co-founder Dr Athol Williams on Monday, April 28, at the official launch of a mural of the internationally acclaimed author and Oxford University professor who is currently living abroad in exile.
The mural, which measures 10 metres by eight metres, was painted by artist Rizah Potgieter, and can be seen along Eisleben Drive, between Morgenster Drive and Silversands Avenue.
Dr Williams grew up and attended both primary and high school in Mitchell's Plain and was an avid baseball and soccer player, before embarking on a successful international academic and business career.
“But he never really left, because our family remained here and his continuous investments in education in our community never stopped," said Roscoe Williams, Read to Rise programme director.
Dr Williams is a co-founder of Read to Rise, which has inspired hundreds of thousands of young people to read and has made new reading books available to them.
He has contributed to numerous other educational causes and schools, including his high school Westridge High.
"In 2019, Dr Williams was inspired to establish the Cape Flats Book Festival in Mitchell's Plain because he believed that such festivals should not be the preserve of elite communities only. The annual festival now attracts writers from across the community and country, and thousands of attendees,” said Roscoe.
From left: Artist Rizah Potgieter, Read to Rise programme director Roscoe Williams, Athol Williams' mother, Mavis, and Read to Rise board chairperson Nicholas Williams at the official unveiling of the Athol Williams mural along Eisleben Drive in Portland.
Image: Alicia English
Speaking at the launch on Monday, Cape Town deputy mayor Eddie Andrews thanked Athol Williams and Read to Rise for their contributions to society.
“Athol's family has every reason to be proud of him. The mural is in the right place because the people in Mitchell's Plain who pass here every single day should know, regardless of their circumstances, that they can achieve success, and it depends entirely on the choices that they make.
"We recognise what Athol has achieved, not just as an individual, but also through the Read to Rise programme,” he said.
Mr Andrews also commended Mr Williams for his bravery in testifying before the Zondo Commission, which investigated corruption, despite the threat to his life.
“Athol still went ahead and testified at the Zondo commission. And that is a story that we want to also mention and highlight today, that all heroes are not wearing capes but all of them have to be brave.
“Athol displayed a level of bravery that most people never even try and probably pursue. And that's why the City of Cape Town honoured him because it was brave for him to do what he did,” Mr Andrews added.
Nicholas Williams, chairperson of the Read to Rise board, said Athol’s absence at the launch as he is in exile is also a reminder of the sacrifices that many South Africans continue to make for others to enjoy the freedom of our democracy.
“I think it's important that we celebrate Freedom Day and to acknowledge all those people that sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy this freedom.
"It didn't start on April 27, 1994. They sacrificed many, many years before that. But this also demonstrates that we don't all enjoy the freedoms we're meant to enjoy, and that we still have much to do so that we all can enjoy a free South Africa.
"There’s still a lot of work to do. We need many more people like Athol,” he said.
“The impressive artwork was produced by artist Rizah Potgieter from sm-art and made possible with the support and sponsorship from Read to Rise, Williams Dry Cleaners & Laundry, Cape Flats Book Festival, Paint Communities. We are grateful for the support by local councillor Ashley Potts,” said Roscoe.