Mbali Blaai

Nominee's Province:
Eastern Cape

Age:
29

Project Name/Description:
Carletonville Book Club

More info:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbalenhle-blaai-016a65136/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=za

MBALI Blaai (29) from Carletonville is a reading activist who advocates for her community to read. Blaai, a graduate who holds Honours in Public Governance (North West University), post grad diploma in corporate governance (Monash South Africa) and the University of Johannesburg(registered for MBA), organises regular spelling competitions. “I am a strong advocate for ‘The Self-Education Movement’ and I believe that people must take personal responsibility for they own continuous education,” says Blaai. Her journey started at age nine in grade 3 when she was granted the best reader award and was given a book and a certificates which she has kept and cherishes to this day. “I think that was when the seed and love for reading was truly planted This book author and reading analyst has co-founded the Carletonville Book Club for young adults to gather in read. Her book titled “The invitation of a Reading Activist” provides key relatable and personal strategies to help people adopt a reading lifestyle. Currently she personally mentors different cohorts monthly through the ‘Releaders Book Club Africa’, and organises spelling BEEs competitions at schools in collaboration with her municipality to ignite the love for reading among kids.