BLACKBIRD Books’ latest offering The Pavement Bookworm is the memoir of Philani Dladla (24), who used his love for books to overcome drug addiction and change his lot in life, while trying to do the same for others.

Dladla grew up in KwaZulu-Natal, and when he was 12, he received a gift — his very first book — from his mother’s employer, who also left him his book collection when he died.

His mother moved him to Johannesburg as a last resort to save him from himself and the bad behaviour that would see him not complete matric. Dladla worked in a home for the elderly after his arrival and enjoyed looking after and chatting to the residents. He was doing well and even moved into his own apartment.

But then he began to experiment with drugs, losing his job and finding himself on the streets under the Nelson Mandela Bridge, a place he would call home for several years. Dladla had horrible things happen to him and the people around him, and it made him realise that his addiction would lead him down a fatal road.

“I decided I needed to save myself. I chose not to keep any money so I could avoid buying drugs. Anything I got I immediately spent on food … and books,” he said.

It was through the bag of books that he managed to keep from his inherited collection that Dladla started turning his life around. He started reviewing the books and selling them to motorists driving up Empire Road in Johannesburg; demanding a price according to how he rated the work in question. His unique approach soon captured Jozi’s attention and he became known as “the pavement bookworm”.

Documentary filmmaker Tebogo Malope interviewed him about his roadside bookstall and posted the video online, where it went viral. Today, Dladla is known around the world and is a motivational speaker, committed to sharing the power of reading and how it helped him to overcome adversity.

Apart from the little money Dladla makes selling books, he has started a book reader’s club for underprivileged children in Johannesburg. Visit pavementbookworm.co.za for more on his ongoing work and projects.