A call to all South Africans to #buyabook

The #buyabook campaign is one of the cornerstones of South Africa’s reading awareness week.

National Book Week (NBW) is dedicated to encouraging reading and promoting the importance of books.

According to the South African Book Development Council (SABDC), 58 per cent of homes in South Africa do not have even a single leisure reading book.

“We cannot promote reading to book-scarce communities,” said the CEO of SABDC, Elitha van der Sandt.

“While libraries, both in the communities and in schools, play a vital role in ensuring good reading material is available, books in homes will make a difference.

“Being surrounded by books at home matters because books enhance lifelong cognitive competencies well beyond the usual impact on literacy and numeracy.”

Celebrated on the first week of September every year, NBW is driven by the Department of Arts and Culture and the SABDC.

This year marks NBW’s decade of influence on creating awareness about SA’s low reading culture and the book production industry.

NBW was launched in 2010 in response to a study commissioned by the SABDC on the book-reading habits of adult South Africans.

The statistics highlighted SA’s poor reading culture.

Read: South African Book Fair tickets now on sale

They also revealed that just 14 per cent of South Africans actively read, while an alarming 73 per cent of adult South Africans claimed to not be interested in books.

This year, the #buyabook campaign will once again be supported nationally by Exclusive Books and Bargain Books.

All South Africans are encouraged to #buyabook from the select list of titles, which also include books in indigenous languages.

The books only cost R20.

Books can also be donated at the till and dropped in the book bins prominently displayed at the stores.

The campaign launches on August 24 and will run for two weeks, ending on September 8.

This year’s books are suitable for all ages. Books in indigenous languages are also available for donation, in line with the International Year of Indigenous Languages, a 2019 United Nations’ observance, which aims to raise awareness on the endangerment of indigenous languages globally.

“By supporting the #buyabook campaign, you are giving a child the timeless gift of owning their own little treasure,” said van der Sandt.

“It allows all of us to share the magic of stories and books with children, youth and adults alike.

“The more books we have at home, the better our children will do at school.

“The more books we have in our homes, the better our adults can navigate life and its challenges.

“Books are not only rich in stories, but are also rich in information.

“Books inform and inspire.

“Books remain the most cost-effective intervention to develop our country.”

NBW’s official mascot, Funda Bala, which means ‘read, read’ in Nguni and Sotho, will make an appearance at select Exclusive Books to engage with and entertain children.

A colourful life-sized book with an infectious charm, Funda Bala interacts with the children and adults alike to spread the joys of reading.

“The campaign goes beyond just putting books into the hands of children,” explained van der Sandt.

“Together with the Department of Arts and Culture and the Department of Library Services in the provinces and various municipalities, we will be hosting 10 Indigenous Language Reading Festivals in far-off communities who ordinarily do not get to experience books as we do in the cities.”

The donated books are collected at the end of the National Book Week from all participating stores and given to reading promotion projects around the country, which donate books to homes.

Books are also donated to the provinces hosting the reading festivals.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke at length during his 2019 SONA about SA’s reading crisis, putting emphasis on a concern that’s close to our hearts,” added van der Sandt.

“The president’s efforts in raising awareness will make a significant difference.

“We can think of nothing more important for children, young people and adults than to acquire good reading skills, as this can be a life changer.”

For more information on ways you can get involved please visit www.sabookcouncil.co.za

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 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

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