Page 24 - Cornwall Issue 3 2025

BOOKS

PAMSA AND BOOK DASH
To be part of the solution, PAMSA has
announced its support of the Book Dash
2025 campaign, an initiative that aims
to make books more accessible to young
readers. Book Dash has already distributed
over 4.5 million books to children across
South Africa, and creates books in multiple
local languages.

Dorette Louw, director of programmes and
operations at Book Dash, says that according
to National Reading Barometer 2023, the
vast majority of South African adults agree
that reading to children before they can talk
helps them learn, but unfortunately only
about a third of parents actually read with
children aged six and under.

Louw explains that just like other healthy
lifestyle habits such as eating well and
exercising, there’s a gap between awareness
and action. Even when parents know it’s
important to share books with pre-verbal
children, they need a nudge to actually do it.
THE VITAL ROLE OF She adds that physical, hard copy books

at home can provide that nudge in a way
PAPER BOOKS Book Dash is working hard to increase book
that that digital books cannot. This is why
ownership in homes, and why the support
from organisations like PAMSA is crucial.

Paper-based books remain popular among
readers, with the survey showing that
he Paper Manufacturers Association 80% of respondents said they owned 50 34.7% of respondents prefer physical books
of South Africa (PAMSA) has books or less, and only 8.6% owned more for leisure reading, compared to 7.4% who opt
Treleased findings from its 2024 than 100. for tablets or e-readers. Importantly, 57.6 %
survey on book ownership, revealing that of respondents strongly disagree with the
31% of respondents own fewer than ten Executive director of PAMSA, Jane Molony, statement that ‘print is dead’.
books. However, access to books remains says that while there is some improvement
a significant challenge for many South in book ownership, the numbers still paint a Molony says that paper books play a vital
Africans. concerning picture. Access to printed books, role in early childhood development and
particularly for young children, is crucial for literacy, and create a stronger educational
The survey also found that about 67% of developing literacy skills and fostering a foundation. Research consistently shows
respondents own 50 books or less, while reading culture. that paper-based materials promote better
17.4% reported owning more than 100 reading comprehension and information
books. This represents a slight The survey results come at a critical time, retention compared to digital formats. This is
positive shift as literacy rates in South Africa continue particularly important for developing brains.
from 2022, to face challenges of unequal early
when learning outcomes and extremely Both Book Dash and PAMSA goals promote
poor primary school literacy, literacy and sustainable paper usage. Paper
with nearly 80% of Grade books are not only renewable and recyclable,
4 learners struggling but can easily be shared and passed along,
to read for meaning. extending their impact within communities.
Additionally, only
2% of children’s Through initiatives such as the Book
books published Dash partnership, PAMSA aims to help
commercially in address the book access gap in South
South Africa are Africa and contribute to improving literacy
in local African rates, particularly among young readers
languages, who need exposure to books in their early
despite developmental years.
eight out of
ten people
speaking a ISSUED BY MEDIA PORTAL
home language ON BEHALF OF THE PAPER
other than MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
English or OF SOUTH AFRICA
Afrikaans.

22 Cornwall View • Issue 3 2025