Page 13 - IFV Issue 7 August 2025

Lifestyle

THE VITAL ROLE

OF PAPER BOOKS

The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) has released

findings from its 2024 survey on book ownership, revealing that 31% of
respondents own fewer than ten books. However, access to books remains a
significant challenge for many South Africans.

he survey also found that about
67% of respondents own 50
Tbooks or less, while 17.4%
reported owning more than 100 books.
This represents a slight positive shift
from 2022, when 80% of respondents
said they owned 50 books or less, and
only 8.6% owned more than 100.
Executive director of PAMSA, Jane
Molony, says that while there is some
improvement in book ownership, the
numbers still paint a concerning picture.
Access to printed books, particularly for
young children, is crucial for developing
literacy skills and fostering a reading
culture.
The survey results come at a
critical time, as literacy rates in South
Africa continue to face challenges of
unequal early learning outcomes and
extremely poor primary school literacy,
with nearly 80% of Grade 4 learners

The Villager • August 2025 • 11