My Personal Experience with Limited Access to Books
I was born and raised in rural South Africa. At 12 years old, I stepped into a library for the first time—and read my first novel. This wasn’t because my school lacked a library; in fact, we had one. But it had been converted into a teacher’s office, with no dedicated librarian or proper resources. Students were never allowed inside.
My story is not unique. Many children in rural South Africa grow up without ever interacting with books during their formative years. Without early exposure, fostering a love for literature becomes an uphill battle. My own journey changed only because I received a scholarship to a private school in Gauteng. There, I discovered a well-resourced library with passionate librarians who hosted book clubs and reading events. Their efforts showed me the transformative power of a reading culture—something sorely missing in rural schools.
The Bigger Problem: No Books at School or at Home
The lack of reading culture isn’t confined to schools. Even at home, books are rare. Fast forward to 2025, and my hometown of Bushbuckridge has seen progress—new malls, better infrastructure. Yet, none of these developments include a bookstore or a public library.
Can we blame businesses for not investing in books? Not really. Why open a bookstore where there’s no demand? The real challenge is creating that demand—building a society that values reading.
How Do We Build a Reading Culture in South Africa?
1. Early Childhood Reading Programs with Parent Involvement
Children from reading households are far more likely to become readers themselves. Early childhood is the best time to develop literacy skills, including focus and comprehension.
Take Finland, which boasts one of the highest literacy rates globally. Their success stems from early childhood programs that collaborate with parents, guardians, and libraries to provide reading resources and skills from a young age. South Africa needs similar initiatives to lay a strong foundation for literacy.
2. Improving Access to Books and Resources
Millions of South African children have little to no access to books. Schools teach phonics but fail to provide enough reading material for practice. During my time in public schools, guided reading—a critical part of literacy development—was absent simply because there were no books.
Guided reading helps students decode words, understand texts, and connect stories to their own experiences. Without books, these essential skills remain out of reach. If schools struggle to provide classroom materials, leisure reading stands no chance. We must prioritize supplying schools with books and establishing libraries in underserved areas.
3. Adult Literacy Programs
In 2019, 4.4 million South African adults were illiterate. These are the very people tasked with encouraging reading at home. Without parental support, children face an even steeper climb toward literacy.
We cannot overlook adult education. Equipping parents and caregivers with reading skills ensures they can guide the next generation. Literacy programs for adults must be part of the solution.
A Call to Action
Building a reading culture requires collaboration—between schools, communities, and policymakers. We need:
- Early literacy programs that involve parents.
- Investment in books and libraries for schools and communities.
- Adult education initiatives to break the cycle of illiteracy.
The time to act is now. Let’s create a South Africa where every child—and every adult—has the chance to fall in love with reading.