In an effort to promote literacy, Cape Town High School isiXhosa teacher Aphiwe Sigadi has started a book club at the school to support learners.

The 29-year-old from Ilitha Park, who is passionate about the arts, began working at the school in 2024. After seeing there was no school library, he decided to establish a book club.

Aphiwe Sigadi’s passion for writing and education

“I have been passionate about writing from an early age, even while I was still at primary school. I used to write poems. Years later, in 2019, I formed the Back to School organisation, where I worked with young artists, mentoring them on how to write poetry. We even published several collections.”

After graduating from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) with a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in 2022, Sigadi worked on a contract basis at several schools, the idea of starting a book club gestating in his mind. It started manifesting at Silver Leaf Primary School in Dunoon.

“There I was planning it with another teacher when my 12-month contract expired, having taught there from June 2022 to June 2023.”

But during his next contract post, at Montevideo Primary School in Montana, his dream became a reality.

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From contract teacher to permanent post at Cape Town High School

“My contract was a nine-month one, but I managed to start a book club before moving on to Cape Town High School in the City Bowl. After my contract period ended in March 2024, I was offered a permanent post there, which began the following month.”

Sigadi said, Cape Town High had no library, even though there were classrooms there that could be used for this purpose. He organised a group of learners into a book club.

Growth of the book club to 64 members

“I started the book club in May 2024 with 30 learners. I approached individuals and organisations to donate books. Now we have a fully-fledged library at the school, and the number of book club members has grown to 64.” He added that acquiring more books has also enabled the school to donate some to schools in underprivileged communities.

Last month at least 5 00 books were donated to New Eisleben High School in Crossroads and earlier this month about 1 000 were given to Silver Leaf School.

According to Sigadi, the goal is to donate to at least 10 schools before the end of the year.

Improving literacy through reading and language development

“I’m trying to promote reading among young people. Many learners don’t fail their exams because they are incapable; sometimes they simply don’t understand the language. By reading they will improve their reading and writing skills. By understanding English better, their marks will improve, and they will be able to express themselves more clearly.”

He also pointed out that some communities are so heavily affected by crime that learners were unable to use local libraries. Schools, he said, are often the safest places in these communities.