THANDI XABA
The country’s longest running reading campaign National Book Week is celebrating its fifth year of success. This year’s theme ‘Going Places’ will travel over six provinces and will reflect how reading a book can transport you to many places.
Speaking from Lourier Park Public Library & Literary Museum in Bloemfontein yesterday CEO South African Book Development Council Elitha van der Sandt says they are not telling people what to read, but getting people more interested in reading.
“In celebrating book, we are not telling people what to read, we are a reading promotion campaign and getting people interested in reading. Its more about telling people there is fun and excitement in the pages of a book, that there is a book for everyone, whatever your interest.”
A special NBW bus has been unveiled which is transporting NBW ambassadors, motivational speakers, authors, storytellers and a toy library to towns from Ganyesa in North West to Worcester in the Western Cape.
Studies show only 14% of South Africans are avid book readers and a mere 5% of parents read to their children. The study also indicated that 51% of households in South Africa did not have a single book in their home.
NBW ambassadors include writer and activist Shaka Sisulu, artists Stoan Seate, and Bianca Le Grange, Aaron Moloisi and Lupi Ngcayisa. Guests were entertained by a poetry performance by poet Paul Said and a storytelling performance by the Kwesukela Storytelling Academy.
The campaign ends on Sunday, September 7th.
