Twice a week, weather permitting, you will find Yandisa Tsengiwe setting up a book stall at the busy intersection that separates Harare and Ilitha Park.
On World Book Day, Vukani found Yandisa at the corner of Steve Biko Road and Ngcwalazi Avenue playing chess with buddies while keeping an eye on his books.
The 34 year old is a community activist and a reading enthusiast who collects books, old and new, with the sole purpose of spreading them around the vast township.
“I read all sorts of books and my heart jumps with joy when I have to share a book I have read with next person,” he said.
Yandisa said he founded Ithala Lase Kasi 10 years ago with a mission to encourage the reading of work by black authors or books that shone the light on the lives of the community.
His modest collection includes The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Travelling With Che Guevera by Alberto Granada, Imtiaz Sooliman and the Gift of Givers by Shafiq Morton, and Soweto Uprisings by Mxolisi Ndlovu to name a few.
“We need to be told our stories, by our own writers. I am happy to witness a burgeoning breed of self-published writers emerging from our areas. Also new, the emerging smaller publishers in our midst,” he said.
He rents out a book for a small fee ranging from R20 to R70, and he also accepts books to exchange.
“People are really supportive of this initiative, they return books and we chat about what they found them. It’s always a fresh perspective from each reader,” he said.
He plans to spread his mission to the surrounding townships.
“I am planning to visit schools and encourage young children to read biographies and historical accounts so that they can learn about the past and how they can help an inclusive society.”
Bonginkosi Mhambi, an avid reader and chess player, said: “The ‘intellectual corner’ was inspiring; it feeds his curious mind while helping him better his chess.
“We read books, me mostly I delve into chess books admiring the tactics of Watu Kobese, Gary Kasparov and others.”
Award-winning author of the recently released book, The Bus People, Chumile Sali welcomed Ithala lase Kasi initiative.
“He is doing a great job in transforming street corners of Khayelitsha. Corners are infamous for loitering by amaphara. Yandisa is writing a different narrative about black townships,” said Chumile.
He called on all emerging and published authors to donate books to him and pledged to donate himself.
“The Bus People of Khayelitsha should support Yandisa. I wish him all the best. Access to books should be a new norm,” he added.
Founder of Lumkile Book Joint in Gugulethu, Lumkile Mzukwa, said it is always a good thing to “highlight the need to read”.
“Placing the books in front of the community’s eyes to encourage reading. This will evolve and possibly develop into a big book venture,” said Lumkile.
