MAKASSAR, PO – Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin, accompanied by Melinda Aksa, Chairwoman of Makassar’s PKK, attended the 15th-anniversary celebration of Komunitas Anak Pelangi (K-Apel) Makassar. The lively event took place at the K-Apel Lorong Campus (Lorong Dg Jakking) on Jalan Daeng Tata III, Makassar, on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
The celebration was paired with a unique “Obrolan Lorong” (Oblong) session featuring various speakers. Founder of K-Apel, Rahman Rumaday—affectionately called Bang Maman—expressed his gratitude to the mayor for his presence, praising Munafri’s approachable leadership style. He highlighted how the invitation process bypassed bureaucratic hurdles, leading to seamless communication. “He (the mayor) came out of heartfelt commitment, not merely because of a formal letter,” Maman added.
During the event, Rahman showcased several community empowerment initiatives in Lorong Dg Jakking, while Mayor Munafri commended K-Apel’s unwavering dedication to literacy activities for local residents. Munafri envisioned Lorong Dg Jakking as an inspiration for similar initiatives throughout Makassar. “If this place becomes a literacy hub, I hope other lorongs can host equally meaningful activities, like art exhibitions,” he remarked.
At the end of his speech, Munafri, through Makassar’s Literacy Ambassador Melinda Aksa, handed over financial aid to support K-Apel’s programs. Additionally, he signed the plaque marking the inauguration of the Literacy Tourism Village by K-Apel.
The event was attended by key figures including Achi Soleman (Head of Makassar Education Office), Nirwan Nisman Mungkasa (Head of Food Security Office), Emil Yudianto (Tamalate Subdistrict Head), and the Chairwoman of TP PKK Tamalate Subdistrict. Cultural icons like Yudhistira Sukatanya, Idwar Anwar, Syahril Rani Patakaki, Andi Marliah, and Anwar Nasyaruddin also joined the celebration, alongside senior journalists such as Ardhy M. Basir (Pedoman Rakyat), Insan Jalil (Literasi-online), Zainal Altim (Sorot Makassar), Alimin DS (Publikasi-online), and Din Pattisahusiwa (Pedomanku).
Adding to the festivities were Tamalate subdistrict’s majelis taklim groups, Lorong Campus lecturers, neighborhood leaders, and the women of K-Apel.
The celebration continued with a thought-provoking “Obrolan Lorong” (Oblong) discussion moderated by Arwin D Awing, Editor-in-Chief of NusantaraInsight.com. The session explored the theme, “Collaboration or Competition? Who Truly Listens to the People?” Panelists included Saddam Musma S.STP, M.Si (Tamalate Deputy Subdistrict Head), Andi Anugerah Tenri Esa SE, MM (Parangtambung Village Head), Dr. Dirk Sandarupa M.Hum (Rector of Lorong Campus K-Apel), Adi Akbar S.Pd, MM (Makassar City Council Member), and Rahman Rumaday (Founder of K-Apel).
