The first week of September, like many others over the past decade, is celebrated and recognized as the National Book Week(NBW). The North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation under the leadership of MEC Galebekwe Virginia Tlhapi plays host on this year’s National Book Week (NBW) awareness event at Mabeskraal Community Hall.

South Africa’s reading awareness week dedicated to encouraging reading and promoting books. The NBW is driven by the National Department of Arts and Culture and the South African Book Development Council (SABDC). This year, the campaign will run from 02 to 08 September and will be celebrated in all nine Provinces. The celebration also coincides with the International Literacy Day on 08 September.

NBW was launched in 2010 in response to a study commissioned by the SABDC into the book reading habits of adult South Africans. The statistics shined light on SA’s poor reading culture. The study revealed that just 14% of South Africans actively read, while an alarming 58% of households did not have a single leisure book at home.

One of the centrepieces of the NBW is the #buyabook campaign which the SABDC runs with Exclusive Books and Bargain Books. The public is encouraged to #buyabook from the select list of titles which also includes books in indigenous languages which participating retailers and partners make available for R20. The books can be donated at the till and a team ensures they are made available to children across all Provinces.

-The VIP Team

-CATA NW

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