Stroom Stories: A Quiet Revolution – The Silent Book Club of Potchefstroom
- Karen Scheepers
- May 7
- 3 min read
In a world that often feels too loud, fast, and overwhelming, two women in Potchefstroom have created a pocket of peace and it’s changing lives. Welcome to the Silent Book Club, a local initiative led by Zandri Troskie‑Naudé and Bianca Potgieter, where introverts are celebrated, social anxiety is soothed, and silence becomes a shared experience.
From TikTok to Transformation
Zandri, a long-time Potchefstroom resident, stumbled upon the concept of a silent book club while scrolling TikTok. Inspired by its quiet charm, she discovered it was an international movement with over 1,500 registered clubs worldwide. Instead of joining an existing one, she made an impulsive yet life-changing decision: to start a chapter right here in Potchefstroom.
With a quick registration on the official Silent Book Club website, followed by the creation of local Facebook and Instagram pages, the Potchefstroom branch was born. After the second meetup, Zandri realized she needed help managing the growing interest. That’s when Bianca stepped up, eager to get involved and a dynamic partnership began.
A Club Where You Don’t Have to Talk
Unlike traditional book clubs, there’s no assigned reading, no pressure to socialize, and no expectation to speak. Members bring whatever they’re reading, be it a thriller, a Bible, or even a personal journal and simply sit together in silence for an hour. Before and after the reading time, light conversation is optional. The result? A welcoming, judgment-free environment where people can connect, or not, on their own terms.
Both Zandri and Bianca describe themselves as introverts with social anxiety, and they’ve made it their mission to create a safe space for others like them. Some attendees don’t speak a word during their first meetups. Others slowly ease into small talk or discover they’re reading the same book as someone across the table. It’s all about comfort, quiet, and community.
Twice a Month, Two Cozy Spots
The Silent Book Club meets twice a month, alternating between two beloved local venues: Cuppa Caffé and Blank Canvas. Saturdays at noon are dedicated to reading, resting, and recharging. There’s no entry fee, just the cost of a coffee or muffin, often with special “book club” combo deals offered by the cafes.
The setting is calm, friendly, and perfect for focus. Even those who don’t read much are welcome. As Bianca shared, some members bring crafts or prayer books. Others come just to be in a peaceful space.
More Than Just Books: Community, Growth, and Giving Back
The impact of the club extends beyond literature. For Bianca, it’s become a creative haven where she’s working on her first novel. For Zandri, it’s been a confidence-building journey, one that took her from nervous host to self-assured community leader.
The club also fosters real connections. People have found friends, moments of calm, and the encouragement to challenge themselves. The feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive, especially around the rare opportunity to unplug from screens and experience genuine stillness.
Looking ahead, the Silent Book Club Potchefstroom has big dreams. Plans include author readings, a mini-library swap system (bring-a-book, take-a-book), and monthly competitions. In June, they’re launching a raffle where the top prize is a luxury book box packed with special edition hardcovers and treats, with proceeds going toward community causes like the Bark Park for dogs.
The Power of a Quiet Space
What started as a spontaneous decision has grown into a quiet movement. It’s a space for the socially anxious, the overworked, the overwhelmed, and anyone who just needs a moment of stillness. It’s also a reminder that community doesn’t always need to be loud to be meaningful.
If you’re in Potchefstroom and looking for a place to recharge, connect, or simply read in silence, the Silent Book Club may be the unexpected answer you didn’t know you needed.
📚 Follow them on Facebook and Instagram: Silent Book Club Potchefstroom
🗓️ Join their next meetups at Cuppa Caffé or Blank Canvas
Click on the button below for the interview in Afrikaans
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