When Thami Mazibuko returned to Soweto six years ago, he discovered that there were very few bookstores in his township. So, he decided to launch one for his community. He firmly believed that reading not only improves literacy rates among the people in his township but also provides access to knowledge and information. He has often said that access to knowledge is a birthright for everyone in the world.
Having only gained access to books after moving to the affluent suburbs of Johannesburg, Thami now approaches his mission with deep conviction and purpose.
He started the Soweto Book Café in his childhood home, transforming the upper level into a bookstore and library. It began with a collection of 30 books from his personal library.
“That’s one of the reasons I started this place—to advance literature and literacy, and to provide the community with access to books and information, which is their basic human right.”
This remarkable man’s face lights up as he rummages through the shelves, proudly showcasing titles like Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi—the first novel in English by a Black South African.
“I’m a reader myself,” the bookstore owner begins. “When I came back around 2015 or 2016, there were no bookstores at all. I didn’t have books. So I started collecting. I had some books that I had traveled with. When I lived in the city, I kept my books. I brought back 30 of them. That’s when I had the idea to start a business—both a bookstore and a library—for the community.”
His work is extremely important in a country where reading skills among school children remain a significant concern.
In 2016, South Africa ranked last among 50 countries in an international study measuring primary school reading literacy. That same year, World Bank figures showed an adult literacy rate of 94.27%, highlighting the gap between basic reading comprehension and formal literacy.
“I started the book club in May or June of 2018,” says Sindisiwe Zulu. “I began at home. My niece was struggling in school—failing terribly. When I asked her why, she said, ‘I don’t actually know how to read. I don’t understand anything, and that’s why I’m failing.’ I had a lot of books at home, so I started reading with her and a few friends…”
The Book Café also serves as a peaceful refuge for local youth, offering a quiet space where they can study, relax, and immerse themselves in reading. It’s also home to a book club that brings together around 50 regular members from the community.
Quotes from legends about reading books:
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” ― Walt Disney
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” ― Cicero
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” ― Stephen King
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” ― Garrison Keillor
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”― Ernest Hemingway
What Marketers can learn from Soweto Book Cafe
When Thami Mazibuko discovered there were no bookstores in Soweto, he didn’t wait for change—he created it. He opened a bookshop not to make profit alone, but to give his community access to knowledge and open up a world of possibilities.
For those who could afford it, he sold books. For those who couldn’t, he introduced a low-cost subscription for just 50 rands a year (about $3.50).
But he didn’t stop there. Thami also founded a book club called “Reading is Super Cool,” now with 50 regular members between the ages of four and sixteen. In this club, older kids read to the younger ones, creating a beautiful cycle of learning and sharing.