Pavement bookworm empowers children

PHILANI Dladla, fondly known as the pavement bookworm, credits books with saving his life. The 25-year-old says he managed to kick his drug addiction by reading self-help books and reviewing and selling books to earn his keep.

Although he has turned his life around he remains committed to the people of Joubert Park and surrounds, and promises to keep working with them.

"Books were the star," he said. He spoke to Nal'ibali about his love for books and his determination to get young people, especially those in inner-city Johannesburg, reading.

What does reading mean to you?

Everything. For me reading is the weapon of choice to fight social challenges. A house without a book is like a body without a soul.

When did you fall in love with books?

When I was eight, the man whom my mother worked for gave me a book for my birthday. It was the first gift I had ever received. It bothered me that I couldn't really understand it. It was in English and I was in a rural school in KwaZulu-Natal. I was determined to learn to read it with understanding.

What was your favourite book growing up?

It was the one he gave me – it was my only book. It was called The Last White Parliament [by F van Zyl Slabbert]. It was about politics. It was a challenge for me but I wanted to know what was so special about this book. I read it over and over. Books are a gift that you can reopen and enjoy again and again and again.

And your favourites now?

I like self-help books and biographies. They are inspiring. I read movies! I like paper books, not e-readers. You can't get the e-reader autographed. I also think that books can never take the place of newspapers and magazines because those keep you updated. I get a newspaper every day.

Why is teaching children to read important?

Reading can help children in many ways. It gives people power. The children around me, here in Joubert Park, they need to read so they can think. They won't be kids forever. If they read about situations, then it will be like deja vu in real life. Reading can enlighten you and I think it keeps old people young.

If you ask little ones what they want to be one day, they will say they want to be a professor or a nurse or a teacher. I want their dreams to come true. I am dedicated to teaching these kids to read so they can stay away from drugs.

How do you get the children reading?

I have started reading clubs. I have young ones from about six to 28! I go around and tell them they could do better with their time than sit around in the park. They go and read then we come together and discuss what they have read.

If they can read and write, they will be more employable. I've been reading for a very long time and I want us to grow together.

View Dladla's website at