It’s National Book Week (NBW) in South Africa. Launched by the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Rejoice Mabudafhasi in Johannesburg last week, NBW runs until Sunday.
A 2007 study highlighted a sad reality in our country – that only 14% of South Africans read books and half the country doesn’t own even one leisure book in their home.
It cannot be disputed that at the heart of personal growth, community development and a thriving nation is reading and literacy.
The study also found that having as few as 20 books in the home is proven to have a significant impact in propelling a child to higher levels of education.
With the aim to promote a reading culture, The South African Book Development Council (SABDC) in partnership with the Department Of Arts and Culture initiated National Book Week in 2010.
The #BUYABOOK campaign is a worthy cause that more fortunate readers could assist in.
Publishers Pan Macmillan SA, Penguin Random House SA, and NB Publishers have offered a selection of discounted books that will be sold in Bargain Books and Exclusive Books stores nationwide.
Purchase these selected books for R20 and drop them into the NBW book bins in the stores. These books will then be donated to selected communities. Another option is for people to donate books to those they know that don’t own one.
The #GOINGPLACES campaign also runs during National Book Week and travels throughout South Africa, bringing books to anyone who wants to explore new worlds through reading. Now in its sixth year, the #GOINGPLACES annual national reading campaign brings together some of the best storytellers, musicians, and ambassadors such as Lupi Ngcayisa, Stoan Seate, Refiloe Mpakanyane, Jena Dover, Pearl Thusi and Aaron Moloisi to get South Africans travelling through books.
Along with the mascot, Funda Bala, the ambassadors will bring the world to those who dare pick up a book.
The NBW Bus Tour will also be making stops in four provinces – KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape.
Watch out for it.
But remember, these are only two campaigns on the go. There are lots of ways to promote NBW:
* Donate books to organisations working with women, children, youth, and the disabled.
* Get corporates to #BUYABOOK or two.
* Create your own activities and let the NBW team know about it.
* Promote NBW on your social media platforms.
* Communities, churches, social groups, schools and libraries and anyone with an interest in promoting reading, are encouraged to participate in the campaign to bring awareness of the joy and value of reading books.
The key message in both these campaigns is that reading is a fun activity. So, do your bit to help bring some fun and adventure into the world of someone who has no access to books.