Sakhile on a mission to promote reading

SAKHILE Mtshali’s passion for language and literature has manifested in a dream to one day open his own book club in the rural village of Mahlabathini near Ulundi.

Sakhile (28), who grew up in the small village of eDlebe, says he hopes to help revive the ‘dying culture of reading’.

‘What I don’t like about my village is that the culture of reading is either dead, or was never born to begin with,’ he said.

‘Our parents and grandparents did not prioritise education and therefore reading was neglected.’

After completing his Honours degree in education at Tshwane University of Technology, Sakhile worked as an educator in Limpopo from 2010 before moving back to his hometown in 2012.

‘Although I teach mathematics and computer applications technology, which are my major subjects,

I’ve worked closely with language educators during debates and oral sessions.

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‘Being involved in this led me to realise that reading was never a priority, and this creates problems with language and other content across the curriculum.

‘Few learners volunteered to participate in these activities simply because they don’t trust their reading skills.

‘These kids do not read because we as adults don’t read. This won’t change unless we break the chain.

‘That’s why I’m thinking of a book club where people can sit around a table and read and share their reviews.

The book club, which he hopes to secure space for in Ulundi and which is easily accessible to everyone, will be open to all ages.

‘I believe a book club will take lots of kids from the street corners and unite them through positive thinking.

‘I chose Ulundi because a number of people I know who are obsessed with reading, are discouraged from doing so by the distance they have to travel to access a bookshop.

‘The nearest bookshop is in Vryheid, otherwise they have to travel to Richards Bay, more than 100km away,’ Sakhile said.

He is urging people to donate books to help him realise his dream and instil a culture of reading in the people in and around his community.

‘Any books catering for all ages are welcome, both fiction and non-fiction, and across all genres.

‘The sooner I can get donations, the sooner I can get the club up and running,’ he said.

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