Newly launched club unites bookworms
A new book club was launched at the Blue Roof Life to encourage reading in a largely digital age and promote creativity.
THE overarching theme of reading and the right to education spearheaded the Not Just for Bookworms Book Club launch which was celebrated on Human Rights Day, Thursday, 21 March at Wentworth’s Blue Roof Life Space.
The club began as an idea to promote the love for reading for all as a means to encourage reading in a largely digital age, promote creativity and improve literacy skills.
Taking the initiative a step further, the Not Just for Bookworms Book Club partnered with Blue Roof’s after-school programme, Youth Education Support Services (YESS) to not only provide support but also help in raising funds to educate, entertain and support the local youth.
The day’s programme included entertainment pieces from some of the youth who attend programmes at Blue Roof Life Space as well as guest speakers who shared their sentiments about the importance of reading.
Mpume Mbambo who organised the event said the book club welcomes everyone, whether they are fans of reading or not. “Through this initiative, we aim to foster a culture of reading, reignite both creativity and imagination and enhance people’s thought processes, which we believe will positively influence social performance and literacy education. We will encourage members to also make donations and funds raised through the book club will go towards YESS,” she explained. Mpume added that Sapref agreed to match R20,000 of funds raised towards this initiative.
YESS’ Linda James said it was heartwarming to see a book club being launched in an age where reading is not given much attention. “Reading forms a big part of a child’s development and is necessary not only academically or in the classroom but when it comes to social interactions with others. At YESS, which was established in 2011/2012, we have worked attentively to help address foundational problems which affect our local youth by providing support, counselling and assistance with their educational needs. Reading is one of the main pillars of education, therefore being aligned with the Not Just for Bookworms Book Club is a perfect fit. Moreover, we are very grateful to their helping hand which will go a long way,” she said.
Durban’s deputy mayor Fawzia Peer joined in the festivities and said the initiative reminded her of how much she enjoyed reading books at a young age and always had her nose in a book, even if it was to the irritation of her mother. “Although I don’t read many books anymore, as a politician I do have to read a lot of agenda’s which keep me very busy. As a mother of four, one of the main things I encouraged my daughters to do was to read and one of them has since become an author. Book clubs can easily prompt an avid love for reading in youth and I can only commend the working being done here,” she said.
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