A passion for reading, debate and poetry is bringing learners together through Infinite Pages NPC, an initiative founded by Xolani Thabethe in Nkomazi.

As the founder and managing director, Thabethe leads the organisation that runs book clubs and debate societies in local schools, encouraging learners to engage with literature, share ideas and develop their communication skills.
Thabethe said that since its establishment on March 11, Infinite Pages has been working with Njeyeza Senior Secondary School, Lugebhuta Secondary School and Schoemansdal Combined School.

“What motivated me to establish Infinite Pages NPC was the need for literacy in my community. Infinite Pages started as a book club idea, but I realised that including debate and poetry would balance it because literacy itself is broad,” said Thabethe.

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Founder draws on personal journey

He said his own experience as a learner also influenced his decision to establish the organisation. During his primary school years, Thabethe participated in literacy activities, including speech reading and poetry. While in Grade Six, he took second place in a poetry competition for primary schools. However, he said he was not active in literacy activities during his high school years, although he continued writing poems privately and working on a novel he hopes to publish one day. His interest in literacy developed further while studying at Tshwane University of Technology’s Ga-Rankuwa Campus, where he was enrolled for a Diploma in Public Finance. In 2023, he joined the university’s book club.

Thabethe said his involvement in the book club helped him develop leadership skills and recognise the importance of literacy, inspiring him to bring similar opportunities to his home community in Nkomazi.

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“I was afraid to start Infinite Pages, but after seeing [BEd practitioner assistant] Nkosinathi Marobela’s passion and his work, I had this word in me that ‘if he’s doing it, then I can’. Hence, I proposed my idea to him, and he supported it. He is still a motivation to me to this day,” he said.

Tournaments boost learner confidence

The organisation hosted the Infinite Pages Debate Championship 2026/27 on October 8, bringing together learners from local schools.

Njeyeza Senior Secondary School emerged as the winner, while learners from Lugebhuta Secondary School also participated in the competition.

Beyond competitions, Infinite Pages works with schools to promote reading, debate and poetry as activities through which learners can explore their interests and develop their abilities.

Thabethe said he had already seen positive changes among the learners, who grew from being very shy to confident with enhanced critical-thinking skills.

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Vision includes radio drama training

Thabethe said there are currently two people working with the organisation, despite plans to expand its programmes in 2027 to other secondary schools and primary schools. Thabethe said he hoped to establish partnerships with organisations that are prominent in education and companies that share the initiative’s vision. One of his goals is to work with Ligwalagwala FM while training learners in radio drama writing, creating further opportunities for them to develop their literary and communication skills.

“As a child of God myself, I have no technical plan on how I hope to achieve through Infinite Pages, but I am following His words as I believe they are my plan and assurance that it is done. He gave me this dream, He showed me its final destination, and I am following and living it,” he said.