By: Amy Williams

 In terms of books Midrand has been somewhat barren in the last few years. The little selection of books at the CNA stores does not do justice to the book loving locals. But thanks to Mr Freddie Shingange and his passion for books Midrand is looking a lot brighter. In March Mr Shingange expanded his table of books outside Pick ‘n Pay Midway Mews to an entire store in the form of Masana Books in Sanridge Square.

Mr Shingange, whose passion for books began when he left school and worked in publishing houses and book companies, states that, “I’ve always dreamt about going out and doing things on my own one day and that’s exactly what I’ve done” and he, like so many others, noticed the lack of a reading culture in Midrand: “When you go to Fourways or Sandton people are always milling around in book stores when it comes to reading in Midrand we didn’t really have anything, I don’t even know where the library is! People will come up and say, ‘Are you guys a library? We’re looking for the library.’ It is our hope that we can grow and get as many people as possible into the culture of reading.