Escape from reality with a great book
“Each night, we take turns reading a page to each other. It creates a stronger bond between us. My daughter loves reading and it builds her vocabulary as well. As parents, we have to encourage that love for reading and nurture it.”
Did you know that only 14%of the South African population are avid readers of leisure books?
According to a study by the South African Book Development Council (SABDC), only 5%of the population reads to their children.
These alarming statistics prompted the longest running and most recognised national reading awareness campaign in South Africa: National Book Week.
The campaign kicked off in 2010, with the SABDC aiming to increase access to books in South Africa and to get more citizens reading for leisure.
In order to champion reading in South Africa, this year #readbecause was launched on social media on April 23 at 12 noon, with the primary aim of showcasing unity of purpose among the multitude of organisations, who work towards promoting a reading culture in the country, and to understand the value of reading.
“This campaign is aiming to use available platforms such as social media and physical spaces in the form of libraries and reading clubs, to create a movement that reaffirms the value of reading for leisure, as it has a direct correlation to growth and success,” said the SABDC.
“Books contain many words that children are unlikely to encounter in frequently spoken language, and with 78 per cent of Grade 4 learners being unable to read for comprehension in any language, #readbecause is a response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for a reading revolution.”
According to the SABDC, children who know adults who read for pleasure, take it for granted that reading is a valuable and worthwhile activity, and being told stories in any language is known to feed a child’s imagination and contributes to the development of abstract thought.
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Will you be joining the #readbecause conversation?
At the Newcastle Advertiser, books and knowledge are treasured resources.
Advertising Manager, Cherryl Mungal enjoys reading motivational books as it inspires her to motivate others. Sub Editor, Trevor Barnes, says he reads to gain knowledge:
“I enjoy novels with substance; factual books where I can learn something. I am naturally curious and I believe knowledge is power. It makes you more interesting as a person because if you know things, people will talk to you!”
Mom of a six-year-old son, Monique Pentz, reads the Bible to him to teach him good values. She also enjoys fiction and self-help books, and recommends the collection of Roald Dahl books for children.
In a similar vein, sales consultant Rene du Plessis allows her children to pick books which appeal to them.
“Each night, we take turns reading a page to each other. It creates a stronger bond between us. My daughter loves reading and it builds her vocabulary as well. As parents, we have to encourage that love for reading and nurture it.”
Nirasha Pooranram, who is a classifieds sales consultant, says her daughter uses her pocket money to buy more books.
“She has an extensive collection already!” When Nirasha finds the time to read, she loves delving into an intriguing mystery novel or a romance. “Reading is an escape from reality; you can create a vivid picture in your mind.”
ALSO READ: LETTER: Teach children to love reading
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Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za
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