30/04/2024
Please find Sbusiso a place to sell his books
Sbusiso Mnguni, one of the Denis Hurley Centre Street Lit book vendors, is looking for a place north of Durban to sell his books.
The Street Lit book project comprises 20 people all of whom have experienced homeless in one way or another, or who have been rehabilitated whilst on the cusp of becoming homeless. All are bibliophiles and have been trained to run their own micro book businesses.
“We look for places for the vendors to trade. And are delighted that most of them have permanent places to set up their book stalls – to mutually benefit their venue host, the customers and themselves,” says project facilitator, Illa Thompson.
“Ideally we look for a long-term venue partner – be it a busy mall, shop, business park, coffee shop, or places where people gather. We are self-contained, don’t require anything from our host – other than a place to store our books and table overnight – and do our best to promote you, and use the books as an added attraction to bring people into your space.”
“Street Lit is a team of 20 amazing people. What unites us is we all believe in the power of the written word. All of us are avid readers, who truly want to share our love for literature, while earning a modest income.
“Many areas in Durban don’t have access to quality books. We want to fix that. Many families only have one or two books at home – we want to fix that. Many people just need a nudge to get them to be readers: a conversation, a recommendation about what to read. We want to fix that. Boredom among homeless people can be alleviated, even in just a small way, by reading. We want to fix that. And through your support we can."
If readers (especially north of Durban) would like to host Sbusiso and his books at their business / event / shop / school, please contact [email protected] or call Illa on 083 326 3234.
Look out for the core team of vendors: Alvin Dube & Donel Tanbeni at the KZNSA Gallery; David Sithole – outside municipal satellite container library alongside Workshop; David Jones – Berea Centre; Bulelo Sigabi – Davenport Square, Eric Badise – Durban Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre; Richard Nzima & Khanyisile Cele – Pick n Pay Hyper by the Sea; Vusi Meyiwa – Bluff Towers; Mxolisy Mavimbela – alongside Denis Hurley Centre; Xolani Gamede – Umlazi Mega City; Anele Nyembezi around the taxi ranks; Qhawe Mbatha – Bridge City, Mongezi Mtolo at Cortado coffee shop, Musgrave and Sbusiso Mnguni at events. Look out for their bright lime green branding!
