Our Librarians
Sunflower Library
Sonica Petros
Sonica's favourite book is Ayan's First Day by Nancy Garland. The story creates awareness for readers around the misconceptions of people with disabilities and encourages empathy and understanding. Sonica loves promoting books with beautiful illustrations to the readers who visit Sunflower Library.
Liyabona Library
Nkosiyethu Mkhwenkwe
Nkosiyethu's favourite children's book is The Bok Who Lost His Spring by Marleen Lammers. This story encourages readers to recognise what makes them unique and the importance of friendship. Nkosi loves getting to know the learners who visit Liyabona Library and giving them personal book recommendations.
Protea Library
Thozama Morape
Thozama’s passion for reading began when her son struggled to read and she started volunteering in his school library to support his progress. Her favourite book is Shoma and the Stars by Maya Wegerif. She appreciates Shoma’s message of being comfortable in your own skin and to celebrate your unique gifts and talents. Thozama loves how the colourful illustrations inspire readers to engage in exploring Shoma’s story.
Sunbird Library
Nuraan van der Schyff
Nuraan's favourite children's book is Ayanda says No to Bullying by Manichand Beharilal and Thea Wallace. The book encourages children to recognise bullying, stand up to bullies and ask for support if they need it. Nuraan loves nurturing readers in Sunbird Library to find joy and comfort in the pages of a good book while expanding their imaginations and perceptions of the world.
Hope Library
Siphesihle Jojo
Siphesihle's favourite young adult book is Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. This book of poems explores identity, immigration and femininity - themes which Siphesihle can relate to and feels are very relevant in our local context where women of colour hold their experiences with strength and courage. She enjoys hosting Book Club in Hope Library, discussing different books and witnessing the joy her readers find in the pages of their books.
Sunshine Library
Emma Kirkwood
Emma's favourite children's book is The Girl With 21 Questions by Boitumelo Mothupi. It is a story that encourages reading as a way to explore the things young learners are curious about. Emma loves creating a warm, exciting space at Sunshine Library where learners feel their interests are both supported and expanded through a range of relevant books. She hopes to spark a lifelong reading habit amongst young, curious learners through her work in the library.
Rahmah Library
Rukaya Creighton
Rukaya's favourite children's book is
I Can Read with my Eyes Shut by Dr Seuss. She enjoys how this beautifully illustrated book introduces children to all the benefits of reading. It teaches them that reading will help them gain insight into people, places and events outside of their own experiences. Rukaya is passionate about reading and books and lives by the quote: “The more you read, the more you'll know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go”.
Intern - Sunflower Library
Sinakho Sobetwa
Sinako's favourite children's book is Nozincwadi, Mother of Books by Gcina Mhlope. This book spreads the love and power of reading to children and teaches them the saying "Umunti ufunda aza afe" - a person learns until they die. Sinako feels we should all always be reading and learning. She loves seeing the readers in Sunflower Library happily choosing their books and growing in their reading journeys.
Trainee librarian
Nontobeko Klawushe
Nontobeko’s favourite book is Talk Peace by Sam Williams. This book encourages readers to talk and act in a peaceful way wherever they are in whatever they do. Nontobeko loves this book because it centres on peaceful words and actions. If children are faced with bullying or discrimination the story supports them with guidance on how to conduct themselves peacefully no matter the circumstance. This story also has beautiful illustrations which she feels help young readers engage with its important message.
Upcoming libraries
Join our team
Keep an eye on our website and social media pages for upcoming opportunities to join the Otto Foundation's team of librarians.