Qualibooks’ impact this year and vision for next year
In 2025, the company aims to grow the uptake of kibooks.online among private users and expand its reach to more communities.
As 2024 comes to a close, Qualibooks reflects on a remarkable year marked by significant milestones, growth, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing literacy in South Africa.
A touching highlight was the story of a young girl from Soshanguve who won a reading competition, made possible by her access to kibooks.online.
Her mother confirmed that robust internet access in their area challenges the misconception that townships lack connectivity. This success illustrates how Qualibooks digital platform helps children in underserved areas engage with books and improve their reading skills.
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Throughout 2024, the Randjesfontein-based company received strong support from the corporate sector for its Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) and Social Economic Development (SED) initiatives. Corporate South Africa has been vital in helping Qualibooks reach more schools, support their mobile library units, and ensure high-quality reading resources are available in all 11 official languages.
Qualibooks Group founder and managing director Niel Wilken noted numerous upgrades to the kibooks.online platform this year, enhancing accessibility for private users.
“These improvements aim to provide a seamless and enjoyable reading experience for children, teachers, and parents. With our ongoing enhancements, we are committed to making digital reading not just a possibility but a preference for young learners.”
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Looking ahead to 2025, the focus is clear: to increase the uptake of kibooks.online among private users and expand their reach to more communities. “We’re excited to engage with new partners and organisations to optimise their educational programmes and achieve their literacy goals. The future holds even more opportunities to expand our impact and cultivate lifelong readers who will shape the future of South Africa,” said Wilken.
Qualibooks extends heartfelt thanks to all who have supported their journey. “First and foremost, our gratitude goes to the children using kibooks.online. We also thank the teachers, parents, and caregivers who inspire children to embrace reading, whether through physical books or our digital platform.
“Our corporate partners deserve special recognition for their ongoing investment in our mission.”
As the year wraps up, Wilken reflects on the importance of their work. “After 32 years in the industry, it’s encouraging to see long-standing discussions about children’s reading finally transforming into tangible actions.
“We are hopeful that 2025 will be a year of accelerated action, leading to a future where every child in South Africa can develop a love for reading and learning. Together, we can create a better tomorrow for our nation.”
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