A total of 172 primary schools and early development organisations received mobile trolley libraries, courtesy of the fifth Avbob Road to Literacy Campaign, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and Oxford University Press Southern Africa.

This campaign marked a powerful milestone in advancing literacy across South Africa.

During the beneficiary announcement ceremony in Gauteng on April 30, the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, highlighted the importance of long-term, sustainable collaboration between government and the private sector in addressing the country’s literacy crisis. She reaffirmed that early-grade reading and numeracy are critical to breaking cycles of poverty and unlocking future opportunity for every child.

ALSO READ: Mpumalanga schools prepare learners for mid-year exams

This year, the initiative rolled out 2 000 mobile trolley libraries, each worth R57 500, to 2 000 schools across all nine provinces. Each trolley is filled with 500 books in all 11 official languages, including new Braille libraries to ensure inclusion for blind and visually impaired learners. This expansion reflects a deep commitment to equitable, accessible learning for all.

Avbob’s general manager of shred values and sustainability, Kebo Mosweusweu, pointed to the campaign’s mission that today’s readers are tomorrow’s leaders.

ALSO READ: Ehlanzeni TVET College launches peer education training

“No matter a child’s background, reading has the potential to unlock greater heights,” she said.

The managing director of Oxford University Press Southern Africa, Karen Simpson, emphasised the importance of providing high-quality and age-appropriate books to schools that deserve nothing but the best.