Book club members. Photo by Kalvin Mabika.
5 September 2012
The High School Book Club, is based in Nyanga township at Oscar Mpetha High School. This is a new project started by Madoda Soko who is originally from Tembisa in Johannesburg.
Soko belonged to a book club when he was in school and has now decided to spread the culture of reading to township youth by starting book clubs in township schools. Soko intends to expand the club to other Cape Town schools.
When Soko started the book club at Oscar Mpetha in March 2012 there were 15 learners who joined. There are now currently about 35 learners in the club. Soko works with various partners who were all once part of a book club themselves and want to share the experience.
The High School Book Club is something very close to Soko’s heart. He funds the project out of his own pocket. He is permanently employed as an IT technician. He said that the principal and teachers at Oscar Mpetha High School are very impressed with his work.
At the moment Soko is focusing on high school students with the aim of encouraging young people to go back into their communities and start their own book clubs for young people. Soko’s work has been recognised by other companies and as a result the marketing manager of Exclusive Books and an organisation Operation Hope called him to offer some support. He is also approaching Budget Insurance company for more support.
Schools in other areas are calling and e-mailing Soko to come and start book clubs in their schools. Soko is excited about this kind of response.
All book club meetings take place at 3pm at Oscar Mpetha High School. People are welcome to join. Also see Madoda Soko’s blog.