Media Advisory
For immediate release
Issued by Ditshego Media
Inaugural World Book Day South Africa Launched with much fanfare
Youth turn up in their numbers to celebrate literature
Johannesburg – April 24, 2014 – The South African Reading Foundation (SARF) in partnership with Brand SA and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) held the inaugural World Book Day South Africa celebration yesterday at Wits University. The theme for World Book Day South Africa this year was “Let’s get the nation reading”.
Co-hosted by Media Personality Pearl Modiadie and Tyathumzi Lead Advisor Luvuyo Mandela, world book day brought together the likes of Destiny Man Editor Kojo Baffoe, Author Ntsikelelo Msibomvu and celebrities such as actor Masego “Maps” Maponyane, and actress Nomzamo Mbatha who spoke about the impact which reading books have had on their lives and respective careers.
Brand SA Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications Ms Wendy Tlou spoke about the importance of inculcating a reading culture to ensure that South Africa meets its developmental goals.
Ms Wendy Tlou – Brand SA Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
“Cultivating a reading culture is important to any individual and consequently to the nation’s development. Brand South Africa, through its nationwide movement – Play Your Part – which aims to inspire all South Africans to be agents of change through active citizenship, believes a reading nation is a developing nation” says Ms Wendy Tlou.
NYDA Chairperson Mr Yershen Pillay illustrated the NYDA’s focus on education and skills development and demonstrated how reading can help young South Africans reach their full potential.
Mr Yershen Pillay – NYDA Chairperson
”Reading is a fundamental building block to success, books provide a window to the world and expose young and old to ideas, places and cultures they might otherwise never have been exposed to. As the NYDA we promote World Book Day to remind young people just how cool reading and literature can be and as part of an ongoing campaign to make education fashionable,” said Mr Yershen Pillay.
Tebogo Ditshego – SA Reading Foundation Chairperson
Chairperson of the South African Reading Foundation Mr Tebogo Ditshego said “According to the South African Books Development Council only 14% of South Africans read books regularly. Research released last year in May by the UK (United Kingdom) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on Education and Reading revealed that reading books for leisure is the single most important indicator of a teenager’s future success. Therefore, we urge the youth to pick up books on topics of interest and read 1 book a month because adopting a reading culture will go a long way in addressing our socio-economic challenges.”