Club promotes love for reading

ulindlela Reading Club members and some of the community volunteers distribute books to residents.

Young and old in Lower Crossroads and surrounds received free reading books from Kwa-Faku Vulindlela Reading Club, as part of the club’s campaign to get people reading and realising the gold inside books.

The club had their first Street Book Jam in the area to raise awareness about treasures hidden in books and how books can contribute to the academic success of children including making them functional global citizens.

TheKwa-FakuVulindlela Reading Club is one of the most recognised clubs in the area. Its storytelling and reading continues to contribute to the area’s literacy heritage.

On Saturday July 15, the club with friends and partners, including FUNdza, Township Roots, Nal’ ibali, Persona Doll Training, Beautiful Gate, iThemba Labantu, ex-teachers, parents and young people, handed out 1 500 books for free and engaged community members and children on the power of books.

At the fun-filled day at three stations, Nondlwane Street, at the nearby supermarket, and Symphony Way near Marikana, toys were also given out to children.

Noluthando Skota, the reading club leader, said the purpose of the campaign is to enhance and promote reading and to build self-confidence, especially in young people. She said she was happy to see people encouraging their children to be part of the day on Saturday. “They even called their children to join the group. The sad thing, however, was to listen how they struggle financially.

“They admitted to not having money to buy books although they are interested in reading. We assured them that should they or their children want to read, we are here for them. People need to come to our reading club and we also have a local library that they can use,” she said.

Ms Skota said the club has a healthy relationship with the local library where they can also open library user cards for local children.

“Most parents are working and some do not have time to apply for library cards for their children.

“We are available for that. We have made that our responsibility for we want a reading nation but we have since established that many people are not aware that we can do that. We want to urge interested people to come join us,” she told Vukani.

Volunteer at the club, Malusi Ntoyaphi, thanked all those who were part of the day and those who donated books to the club.

“The books were from different organisations, some that we work with and some publishers. The aim of the day was to get people reading. We have a goal – to make people read. Reading should not end at the reading club only. We’re all aware that reading gives the nation the power of telling their own stories,” he said.

He said South Africans should adopt the norm of reading. He said it was amazing how people appreciated the book jam. “The hope is that people will see how important it is to visit libraries and join reading clubs.

“It was fun to see people engaging us and receiving the books with love. It was more fun to see young people joining us in the campaign,” he said.

Grade 4 pupil Asanda Mfengu from Crossroads said she was happy to get a toy. She promised to start reading more and join the club.

“I got the toy I have been longing to have. I am happy,” she said.

For more information about Kwa-Faku Vulindlela Reading Club, call Noluthando Skota on 071 611 0105.