National Book Week 2018: Our Stories
What is National Book Week?
South Africa celebrates National Book Week, which begins in the first week of September every year. In 2018, we celebrate the week from 03-09 September.
National Book Week (NBW) is South Africa’s largest and most recognised reading promotion campaign. Reading and literacy are at the heart of personal growth, community development, and a thriving nation.
The Department of Arts & Culture and the South African Book Development Council (SABDC) will embark on a nationwide tour from 3 to 9 September in all nine provinces.
This Year’s Theme
The theme for this year’s event is #OURSTORIES. The theme highlights that storytelling is deeply ingrained in African culture, and that South Africans can – and should – be the authors of their own stories.
“An interest in reading is often catalysed by a personal experience of storytelling,” says Elitha van der Sandt, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Book Development Council (SABDC). “Story is therefore one of the most important gateways into reading.”
This is particularly relevant when one considers the fact that 58% of South African households have no leisure reading books. This deficit fuels the widespread problem of grade fours not being able to read for meaning.
How can South Africans help?
It is with this in mind that National Book Week features the #READABOOK /#BUYABOOK initiative. This tries to encourage reading amongst South Africans and to bring more leisure books into households through an in-store donation platform in bookstores.
You can by select titles at Exclusive Books, Bargain Books, Bridge Books, Love Books and Ethnikids for only R20 from 20 August – 09 September 2018.
Find out more about what you can do here: How to get involved
“This year’s National Book Week has more to offer readers of all ages than ever before,” says van der Sandt, “and we invite people around the country to join us in celebrating the timeless joy of storytelling, books and reading.”
Follow the week on Facebook: National Book Week and on Twitter: @NBW_SA
National Book Week is celebrated nationwide from 03-07 September, with planned activities scheduled to take place as follows:
03 Sept
Limpopo – Polokwane,
Free State
Western Cape – Op die Berg
04 Sept
Mpumalanga – Mgobodzi
Northern Cape – Kathu
Eastern Cape – Komga
Western Cape – Bella Vista
05 Sept
Western Cape – Nduli
Eastern Cape – Komga
06 Sept
KwaZulu-Natal – Mzingazi
North West Province – Letsopa
07 Sept
Gauteng – Newtown
Eastern Cape – Port Elizabeth
From a press release by Native Worx PR & Communications (South Africa).
Maiyo Febi
E: Maiyo@nativeworx.co.za
T: +27 11 794 2914
C: +27 84 824 7757