Mobile libraries to boost literacy at 1 000 South African schools and NPOs

The 1 000 beneficiaries of the 2025 AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign, in collaboration with Oxford University Press South Africa (OUPSA), have been announced.

This nationwide initiative distributes mobile trolley libraries to improve access to books in communities across South Africa, with a focus on schools and NPOs.

The announcement was made at an event held at the Sandton Hotel in Johannesburg on May 29.

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The campaign addresses the persistent challenges of low literacy and numeracy levels at the foundation phase by providing learners with culturally and linguistically relevant materials in all 11 official written languages.

Now in its third year, the campaign has grown significantly from its inaugural 2022 distribution of 180 trolleys.

In 2025, each of the 1 000 mobile libraries will include 500 OUPSA books, carefully selected to support literacy and numeracy in alignment with the CAPS curriculum.

More than 500 000 books will be distributed this year—doubling last year’s total of 250 000.

Speaking on a panel alongside Carl van der Riet (CEO, AVBOB Group), Karen Simpson (MD, OUPSA), and Gugu Ndebele (Executive Director, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls), Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube said: “This initiative is a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnerships.

“The campaign addresses a pressing national priority—the development of foundational literacy and numeracy—while aligning with policy frameworks that promote diversity in school curricula. It does so in a way that honours South Africa’s linguistic and cultural richness, ensuring that no child is left behind.”

Simpson noted that the partnership reflects OUPSA’s belief in literacy as the foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity.

“Access to books in a learner’s mother tongue has a profound impact on their ability to grasp foundational concepts, stay engaged, and remain in school. We are committed to publishing in all of South Africa’s official written languages, and this campaign allows us to place those resources directly in the hands of learners who need them most.”

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Each trolley library is valued at R57 000, bringing the total investment for the 2025 campaign to R57m. Designed to be mobile, durable, and accessible, the trolleys suit shared and under-resourced learning environments.

In addition to books that promote a love of reading, each trolley includes resources to strengthen numeracy—making this one of the few national initiatives focused on both reading and mathematics at the foundational level.

The campaign continues to expand in reach and impact. This year, it received 8 661 nominations from all nine provinces, submitted by educators, caregivers, community leaders, and members of the public.

Van der Riet emphasised that while the campaign has grown, its core mission remains unchanged: to provide access to quality educational materials, dignity, and hope for a better future.

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“Literacy and numeracy are more than academic skills—they are essential tools for participation, opportunity, and dignity.

“They form the building blocks of lifelong learning and empower children to shape their own futures. The AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign embodies our belief that social investment should be both practical and purpose-driven.”

He added that as a mutual society, AVBOB exists for the benefit of its members and the broader community.

“Giving back is more than a commitment—it’s central to who we are. Guided by our founders’ promise to put people first, we aim to uplift underserved communities in ways that foster dignity and create lasting impact.”

Echoing this sentiment during the panel discussion, Ndebele said: “Education is the most powerful tool for changing a learner’s future.

Literacy unlocks confidence, agency, and opportunity. We’re inspired by this initiative’s vision and hope it ignites a lifelong love of reading in every child who encounters one of these trolley libraries.”

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Since 2022, the campaign has grown from a pilot project into one of the country’s most extensive mobile library programmes.
Educational experts have long championed mother-tongue instruction in the early years.

Research consistently shows that children who learn to read in their home language are more likely to stay in school, perform better academically, and transition successfully to additional languages.

However, access to books in African languages remains limited—especially in underfunded schools. The Road to Literacy campaign helps close that gap, ensuring that the joy of reading and the critical foundation of numeracy are not limited by geography or circumstance.