CAPITEC AIMS TO GET MORE CHILDREN & ADULTS READING
New partnerships help expand minds and help future generations find sanctuary between the covers of a book.
Whatever successes our children dream of, their chances increase beyond all measure once they can read. It teaches them to think, ask questions, suggest answers and even offers them a sanctuary in books.
“Sixty-seven percent of children under 12 years of age cannot read, that is why the work that The Bookery does – putting libraries in underprivileged schools, and giving access to children that did not have access to books or libraries before – is extremely important. Because before you can do anything else, you have to be able to read,” states Zulfa Buziek, Communications Officer & Fundraiser at The Bookery.
That, along with the fact that as many as seventy-four percent of public schools do not have libraries in South Africa, has The Bookery on a mission to break barriers and change lives by inspiring a love for reading.
Wondering how? The organisation identifies schools that need reading resources, and partners with them to build vibrant and well-stocked libraries for their learners.
They’ve done fantastic work to distribute more than 352,000 books countrywide, and with partners like Capitec, aim to achieve much more.
But a library isn’t just about books. The Bookery understands the fundamental role a trained librarian can play in bringing a school library to life – by using his or her skills and knowledge to develop the learners’ curiosity, improve their learning and literacy skills, and inspire a love of books – so also dedicates resources to train and pay young library assistants.
This is inline with Capitec’s goal to empower South Africans to Live Better. As part of their sixty seven minutes for Mandela, the Capitec Live Better team partnered up with Exclusive Books to donate reading material to the value of R1000 for every one of their staff who participated in their initiative with The Bookery by volunteering to read to the children and cover books.
“The focus today is to cover 4500 books. This is quite exciting for the team and I can’t wait to see the kids faces and the excitement on them when these books get delivered,” commented Terry-Anne Solomons, Marketing Manager of Live Better at Capitec.
Along with new titles, they also delivered previously loved children’s books to Hope Day Care & Preschool and Principal Paulina Tenyne welcomed them all.
“As a community site, we can’t afford to buy any learning material, especially books. So, we are grateful and thankful to be donated books – to learn and stimulate from those books,” says Paulina.
Another way Capitec is giving back to their greater client family is with what’s fast becoming a favourite day of the month.
“Live Better Day, on the 10th of every month, is a Capitec client ‘money-in’ feeling. That means, we celebrate and honour our clients with cashback, not only for banking with us, but for spending at our partners too. It’s almost a second payday,” says Terry-Anne.
This latest Live Better Day is the day the bank chose to officially kick off their Exclusive Books partnership that gives all Capitec clients 10% cash back on everything online and in-store at the bookselling chain.
Now Tashata Majaye, Exclusive Books Marketing Manager, has a strong ally in getting more people of every age reading.
“The fit between Capitec and Exclusive Books was seamless because both brands are interested in giving value back to their customers. During these turbulent times, you find that people are looking for an outlet and reading provides that outlet – whether you’re looking to get lost in a world of fantasy or you are looking for tools to empower yourself. All-in-all, reading helps you to be better and to live better,” explains Tashata.
Use your Capitec card in-store or online at Exclusive Books every Live Better Day to get the great benefit of 10% cash back when shopping for you, your family or anyone you would like to bless with a book. It’s that simple.
WIN WITH CAPITEC
Like everyone who wrapped books, donated or bought new ones for this initiative, you may want to create your own Live Better legacy for others. If so, to give your volunteer work a boost, start with a chance of winning a R1000 live better cash prize. Simply reply to the competition post on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram profile with #CapitecLiveBetter and your response to enter. The competition ends 7 August 2022 and Ts&Cs apply.
