One page a day is still a win!

One page a day is still a win!

23 April 2026

This World Book and Copyright Day, learners at Cape Town High School were challenged to do something wonderfully simple and powerfully transformative.

Speaking at the school, Western Cape Minister of Education David Maynier encouraged learners to read just one book this year, cover to cover. Not for marks, but for the joy of reading. And when that book is finished? Pick up another… and another. That’s how a lifelong love of reading begins.

And if a whole book feels daunting? One page a day is still a win.

World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated annually on 23 April under UNESCO’s banner, reminds us that reading opens doors at every age. Across the Western Cape, schools marked World Book Day in their own unique and creative ways, celebrating stories, imagination and the lifelong value of reading.

The celebration at Cape Town High was brought to life by the Western Cape Education Department’s Education Library and Information Services (EDULIS), with support from the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Arts and Culture.

Adding to the excitement, the National Library of South Africa donated R20 000 worth of books to help grow the school’s library – a space that was lovingly revived in 2024 under the guidance of a new teacher, Mr Aphiwe Sigadi. What started as a revival has blossomed into a thriving book club with 64 enthusiastic members.

As Mr Sigadi puts it, “Once you create a culture of valuing reading and books, you are crafting an individual who will respect other people’s rights.”

Learners agree. Reading allows them to see the world through new eyes, explore unfamiliar challenges and grow empathy. And when it comes to encouraging others to read? Sometimes all it takes is the right book at the right time.