Mural celebrates Athol Williams

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.

- ALICIA ENGLISH

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.