SA Reading Foundation Launches National Book Week
Press Release
For immediate release
Issued by Ditshego Media
On behalf of the South African Reading Foundation
SA Reading Foundation Launches National Book Week
NYDA joins SA Reading Foundation to celebrate the love of reading
Johannesburg – September 3, 2013 – The South African Reading Foundation (SARF) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) held a launch of National Book Week at Wits University yesterday. The event was hosted by SABC 1 Sunday Live News Anchor Tumelo Mothotoane and Luvuyo Mandela with the aim of celebrating the positive impact which books have had on those present and also discussing how reading can be made more appealing to young South Africans.
Guest speakers included Chairperson of NYDA Yershen Pillay, Chairman of the South African Reading Foundation Tebogo Ditshego, Wits University Vice Chancellor: Academic Professor Andrew Crouch and Metro FM Present Sibusiso Leope popularly known as DJ Sbu.
Yershen Pillay highlighted the NYDA’s new focus areas and the role reading can play in developing the youth moving forward. “We would like to be part of spreading a reading culture because we have redirected our focus to supporting education and skills development. As we celebrate National Book Week we need to find ways to use technology to build a reading nation” said Yershen Pillay.
Tebogo Ditshego discussed how spreading a book reading culture can help develop South Africa’s economy and increase its global competitiveness. “According to a study which was published in the UK Telegraph in May 2013, the single most important indicator of a teenager’s future success is whether or not he/she reads books for pleasure. Germany is a great example of a country which has successfully spread a reading culture and this has played a role in enabling them to become a nation with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world” said Tebogo Ditshego.
National Book Week has been running for four years and this year’s theme is “The Books of our lives” implying that anyone can find a book which they’ll be interested to read.