Nine local authors were supported to publish their books thanks to a partnership between Kumba Iron Ore and the Kuruman-based non-profit organisation (NPO), Marang Career and Information Centre.

Championed through Marang’s Book Reading Club, which provides creative guidance and promotes a culture of reading within communities, the initiative identified a group of talented writers among its 45 club members with manuscripts to be published.

Through Kumba’s donation, the reading club received funding to transform member manuscripts into physical copies. Ranging from poetry, drama and biographies, the genres reflect the club’s diverse group of authors, with the youngest scribe being a Grade 10 high school learner.

“It gives us great pride to have been involved in this initiative,” says Walter Khumo, SED specialist at Kumba Iron Ore. “Books are valuable tools that help shape minds, influence behaviour and broaden horizons.

“It is therefore important that young people, especially those residing in rural communities, continue to be exposed to literature. We hope the donation made to the Marang Book Reading Club will unlock new opportunities for the authors and be a source of inspiration for the next generation of storytellers and readers.”

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Mpho Lekgetho, managing director of the Marang Career Information Centre, outlined the impact of the donation.”With the funding we received from Kumba, we managed to publish nine manuscripts and provide each author with 45 printed copies of their own book. This was the first time some of our club members received an opportunity to publish their work. Some copies were also shared with the National Library for compliance purposes.

“We thank Kumba Iron Ore for its continuous support. Through this partnership we continue to positively impact the communities in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District,” she said.