Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, in partnership with the South African Book Development Council (SABDC) and Limpopo Government will host the National Book Week (NBW) 2014 roadshow under the theme, ‘Going Places’ on Friday, 05 September 2014 in Polokwane, Limpopo Province.

This year’s theme ‘Going Places’ reflects not only the physical journey of NBW travelling deep into South Africa but it also reflects the magic of books and how reading books can ‘figuratively’ and ‘literally’ take you places.

National Book Week was instituted after the Department of Arts and Culture, through the South African Book Development Council, commissioned a study to assess the reading habits of adult South Africans. The study showed that only 14% of South Africans are active book readers and a mere 5% of parents read to their children. It further indicated that 51% of households in South Africa did not have a single book in their home.

Marking its fifth year, National Book Week 2014 have introduced for the first time ever, a travelling bus which will transport ambassadors, motivational speakers, authors, storytellers and a toy library to provinces across the country with Limpopo being one of them. These ambassadors, motivational speakers, authors, storytellers will be facilitating the following activities: Puppet Show, Story Telling, Games, Children’s Toy Library & Motivational Speaking.

An integral part of this nation-wide reading campaign is to create a platform where government, the book sector and civil society can establish dynamic partnerships to promote access to books and contribute towards the creation of a reading and writing society.

Prior to the commencement of the National Book Week activities, the Deputy Minister will hoist the National flag as part of the “Flag in every school Programme”. The programme involves amongst other activities, hoisting of the National Flag, the singing of the National Anthem and the recital of the Preamble of the Constitution by the learners. South African hand held flags and publications on national symbols and the anthem will also be distributed at the school.

Limpopo-born TV personality and National Book Week ambassador, Mr Aaron Moloisi, will join the Deputy Minister during the NBW in Polokwane, Limpopo.

National Book Week 2014 takes place from 01 to 07 September 2014 as part of heritage month.

Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:

Session One: Breakfast Session

Date    : 05 September 2014               

Time    : 08h00-09H00             

Venue  : Fusion Boutique Hotel, Polokwane

Session Two: Flag Hoisting and handing over of Books

Date    :  05 September 2014           

Time    : 10h00 -13h00             

Venue  : Greenside Primary School          

Session Three: Flag Hoisting and handing over of Books

Date    :  05 September 2014           

Time    : 14h00 -16h00             

Venue  : Polokwane Place of Safety           

RSVP: Madimetjam@dac.gov.za : 012 441 3737 or 072 842 6594 

Enquiries: Peter Mbelengwa: Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister 082 611 8197 / petermb@dac.gov.za  or Teresa Magidela 072 222 3169