The first annual Reading Club Festival took place at the weekend at the Ann Bryant Art Gallery.
The two-day event was aimed at creating a safe space for children to learn more about reading and discovering new books.
The event was well attended by authors, storytellers and children from East London and Qonce schools.
The programme included literary activities involving storytelling, puppet shows, reading corners, motivational speakers and many opportunities for conversations with the various actors.
Some of the authors present included Yamkela Ntwalana, Siphokazi Mpofu, Luthando Luca, and Zulaikha Patel.
Event organiser Vuyokazi Biyana, has hosted many similar events around SA and expressed her joy and excitement that she was finally able to host one in East London.
“Reading is very important and unfortunately, not all of our children are exposed to reading and books as much as they need to be. By creating events like these, we are opening up the minds of our children to the beauty of books. We are teaching them the skills they need to one day be able to tell their own stories.
“As a former teacher myself, I have seen firsthand how much of a need it is for our children to learn reading skills.
“Another thing is that our programme here at the festival includes other activities like puppet shows and graphic design displays so that our children can be inspired by more than one medium,” Biyana said.
Nontobeko Mqikela, the author of Nditshilonje Nditshi-i-lo!one, shared some of the important messages of her book with the children, and some words of wisdom.
“I wrote this book because I have seen the world and I have learned many lessons throughout my life.
“I have shared these lessons in my book because I know that anyone reading the book can take something away,” Mqikela said.
Patel, the Johannesburg-based activist, and author of the book, My Coily Crowny Hair, was happy to be one of the authors to share her experience and motivate the young children who were present.
“Thank you so much to Kazi for putting together this much-needed event. It was truly a success and I’m glad to have met all the writers.
“You all do necessary work and I hope to cross paths with you in the future,” Patel said.
Due to the success of this event, Biyana aims to organise it every year, with more activities added to the list so that all children are exposed to books.
