BOOKS provide us with an escape, comfort, and companionship. It is therefore heart-breaking that so many children in South Africa do not have this opportunity due to a lack of resources in schools.
This is the sentiment of book activist, Thembela Noqwaka, who, with the Business and Economics Sciences (BES) Faculty’s engagement and transformation committee at the Nelson Mandela University embarked on a book drive with the aim of donating books to a few under-resourced primary schools located in Gqeberha and Saldanha.
Noqwaka is a Nelson Mandela University alumnus, who attended primary school in Paterson. She developed a love of reading from her mother, who passed away when she was 12 years old.
She realised that through reading, children are further able to ignite a passion for subjects such as natural sciences, geography, history, mathematics, and languages, which in turn drives them to pursue tertiary studies.
“Reading is a fundamental component of any learning system. Unfortunately, due to a lack of resources and attention, the importance of reading and comprehension skills at primary school level are not always prioritised.
“This may result in students entering tertiary education being overwhelmed by the amount of reading material in their first year, and ultimately on their academic performance and progress. It is thus critical that the problem is addressed in our primary schools, and we can all play a role to achieve this,” said Noqwaka.
Currently based in Saldanha, the book drive is one of a few community outreach initiatives in which she is involved. Her deep commitment to outreach encouraged the BES Faculty to partner with her and share her love of reading.
The Faculty’s Andrea Govender said, “Tembela has seen how reading has contributed to her growth and development and she passionately advocates for reading in her communities and through her reading club,” explained Govender.
“A wise person once said ‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader’ and this should resonate with us all as South Africans, as so many of our future leaders do not have access to books. We need to take a stand and try to stand in the gap for our youth and make a difference. Books are essential and so is Ubuntu, so please contribute to our cause for children in need,” said Govender.
The book run is being run until November 25, and pre-loved or new books can be dropped at the university’s South, North and Second Avenue campus libraries (reception area) where collection boxes have been placed. There is also a donation box at Fogarty’s Book Store at 212 Main Road, Walmer.
- For more information, contact Andrea Govender at andrea.govender@mandela.ac.za.
