Books have been Palesa Chauke’s lifelong friends

Growing up in Zola, Soweto, Palesa Chauke discovered the joy of reading in her grandfather's yard, where books and newspapers became the foundation of a lifelong passion. The yard doubled as an after-school care space, where Chauke and her cousins spent their afternoons while her grandfather's friends gathered around a chessboard. Before the games began, the elders would unfold the daily newspaper and hand it to the children.

“Read," her grandfather would instruct.

One by one, the children read aloud while the elders listened, testing their comprehension, memory and understanding of the stories.

“Who wrote that piece?" they would ask. “Why did the author use that word?"

Between chess moves and checkmates, Chauke developed a love for reading, learning to pay attention to detail, remember authors and think on her feet.

“Books are my friends. I learned to retain details, remember authors and answer questions under pressure," she says.

Those early lessons came in handy in 2004 when she represented her former school, Nhluvuko Primary School, at the City of Johannesburg's Battle of the Books competition. The high-pressure rounds were nothing new to her. They reminded her of the afternoons spent reading in her grandfather's yard, preparing her to answer questions with confidence and precision.

Years later, her passion for books remains undiminished. Chauke continues to attend the annual competition, returning year after year to witness a new generation of young readers put their knowledge to the test. She has watched the competition grow, with improved organisation, more attractive prizes and opportunities that were not available to participants of her generation.

Yet, for her, the real value of Battle of the Books lies beyond the prizes and the stage. It is in the excitement of the competition, the anticipation as learners search their memories for answers, and the determination they display under pressure. Sitting among the spectators, Chauke sees a reflection of her younger self in every learner on stage. Their enthusiasm reminds her of how her own reading journey began and how the simple act of reading a newspaper aloud helped shape her life.

Her story is a reminder that a love for reading can start anywhere — even in a grandfather's yard in Zola — and grow into a lifelong friendship with books. Through her continued support for Battle of the Books, Chauke celebrates not only the power of reading but also the importance of nurturing young minds and keeping the love of books alive for generations to come.

Written by Dr Karabo Semenya
28/10/2025

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