Forging a new generation of readers at North Coast Primary School

Three mobile libraries bursting at the seams with children’s books are designed to help a new generation fall in love with literature.

The libraries were handed over last Thursday on behalf of the Management College of South Africa (Mancosa) to North Coast Primary School in KwaDukuza.

Started by late Professor Yusuf Karodia, Mancosa’s million books project has already helped 63 underprivileged schools across the country, delivering more than 63 000 books since 2018.

“It has been a unified effort to stamp out childhood illiteracy in South Africa, along with the New Africa Education Foundation (NAEF) and Basic Education department (DBE),” said NAEF CEO, Ahmed Motala.

The book drive has also lined up with DBE minister, Angie Motshekga’s ‘Read to Lead’ campaign which has similarly tried to boost literacy levels in our country.

“The main focus of this initiative is addressed at primary school level, as studies have shown that if a child cannot read for meaning at Grade 4 level, the chances of him or her finishing matric and gaining access to tertiary education will be very remote,” said Motala.

Stacked to the brim with books, the 3 libraries are mobile and can be wheeled to individual classrooms as needed, boosting the efficacy of lessons.

“We want to honour Prof Karodia’s legacy and will continue to deliver on his dream to have 1 million books spread across our country’s underprivileged youth,” said current principal of Mancosa, Professor Magnate Ntombela.

Aside from the libraries, Mancosa also donated laptops for the library administrators.

This continues an ongoing spirit of private and public sector collaboration which could make a difference for the next generation of South African pupils.

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