A book drive was recently launched by students of Stellenbosch University (SU) with the intention of donating unused reading material to those in need.
The Books for a Cause initiative, which is a collaborative social impact project headed by the SU Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Bachelor of Arts Student Council (BASC), will run from 10 May to 31 May, according to Unathi Ngumbela, social impact leader of the SRC.
A poster for the Books for Cause book drive. The poster suggests books that students can donate, and encourages students to tag the Stellenbosch University Student Representative Council (SRC) social impact sub-committee, Bachelor of Arts Student Council (BASC) or their residence on Instagram with a photograph of their donations. PHOTO: Supplied/Unathi Ngumbela
Following the SRC’s reimplementation of the social impact portfolio in 2020, they formed a sub-committee to address social issues in the Stellenbosch area in 2021, said Ngumbela. The book drive is one of the first projects to be undertaken by the social impact sub-committee.
“Our main aim is to ensure that students are equipped with reading materials for optimal success,” said Malikah Felaar, the social impact project manager for the book drive.
Unathi Ngumbela, social impact leader of the Stellenbosch University Student Representative Council, explains how the Books for a Cause team plans to distribute the books, as well as the motivation behind the initiative.
Books for a Cause encourages students to donate their unused reading material so that it can be distributed to students and surrounding communities in need, according to Ngumbela.
“I’ve also seen a gap in surrounding communities, specifically Kayamandi, […] in terms of access to resources, specifically reading material,” explained Ngumbela.
University residences are encouraged to participate in the Books for a Cause initiative by creating a drop-off space in which residents can donate books. The book drive involves a competition between residences to see which one can collect the most books. PHOTO: Supplied/Unathi Ngumbela
The book drive is collecting all genres of books, including old textbooks and study guides. These will be donated to primary schools, high schools and university students, according to Felaar.
“[Students’] contributions mean that they are actively participating in the improvement of literacy rates in surrounding communities,” said Akhona Shabangu, social impact coordinator for BASC.
The drive also plans to donate to creches, shelters, orphanages, schools and other institutions that would like access to reading material, depending on the number of books donated, said Felaar.
“Children develop an interest in reading and begin to explore literature outside of school when introduced to books at an early age,” explained Felaar.
Possible drop-off locations that have been considered by the Books for a Cause team include Kayamandi Primary School, Makhuphula High School and Pieter Langeveldt Primary School, said Shabangu.
Genevieve Labuschagne, leader of the students relations portfolio, and Cheyenne Haas, operations manager at the Bachelor of Arts Student Council office, accepting book donations. Students can also donate books at the Student Representative Council office. PHOTO: Kyra Rensburg