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Trolley libraries make reading accessible and popular across SA

by | Jun 20, 2024 | News, Corporate Social Investment News

The AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign, in partnership with Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA), aims to transform the lives of primary school children across South Africa by making reading and numeracy books accessible, especially to underserved schools. This public-nomination initiative provides children with books in their mother tongue.

At an event held on 13 June 2024, at the AVBOB Head Office in Irene Link, Centurion, Carl van der Riet, CEO of AVBOB, and Karen Simpson, Managing Director of OUPSA, announced the beneficiaries of the 500 trolley libraries (a substantial increase from the 260 trolley libraries donated in 2023 and the 180 trolleys donated in 2022).

Each trolley library holds 500 books tailored to the CAPS curriculum and has an estimated value of R65 000. The total investment value for the 2024 campaign came to R32,5 million. Through public nominations, the trolley libraries were donated to deserving primary schools and educational Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs).

According to Van der Riet, the over 7 000 nominations received this year posed a challenge for the AVBOB adjudicators as choosing the “best” motivations was not an easy task.

The 2024 national AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign had a mother-tongue focus, as children who learn to read in their mother tongue are more likely to stay and succeed in school (Kosonen, 2005).

This collaborative effort between AVBOB and OUPSA underscores our support of the Department of Education by providing CAPS-aligned resources to assist learners in improving reading proficiency and understanding. Since South Africa was ranked last out of the 57 countries in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study in 2021, it is such partnerships that make a difference in society. The study tested the reading ability of 400 000 students globally and showed that 81% of South African children could not read for comprehension in any of the country’s 11 official written languages. Our aim is to make such initiatives available to positively impact children by making reading accessible and popular.

In his address, Van der Riet said, “The skills of literacy and numeracy are not only fundamental human rights but also serve as the means for the pursuit and attainment of other human rights. They are the foundation for achieving education and the broader goal of improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.”

He explained that AVBOB was established to help people through challenging times and has never veered from that original purpose. “We still exist for the people, and our mutual status is a cornerstone of who we are,” he added. Van der Riet further stated that AVBOB is owned by its members as it is a mutual society, and it exists solely to serve its members’ interests and that of the wider community. “Our Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy underscores this commitment, guiding us to make decisions that are not only profitable but also sustainable and socially responsible,” he said.

Guest speaker Gugulethu Ndebele, Executive Director of the Oprah Winfrey Academy for Girls (OWLAG), provided valuable insight into the importance of mother tongue reading. She praised AVBOB’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to education and emphasised that the trolley libraries are only effective if they are integrated into other teaching activities and strategies to achieve a holistic education outcome.

Simpson from OUPSA said, “Our mission at Oxford University Press is to transform lives through learning. We believe that partnerships with like-minded organisations, such as AVBOB, are essential in realising our vision to positively impact the lives of millions of learners anytime, anywhere. Our collaboration with AVBOB has strengthened over the last three years, and we are exceptionally proud of our involvement in the 2024 Road to Literacy campaign, which supports so many deserving schools where access to the right literacy resources can make the biggest difference to learning outcomes.”

Below is a full list of beneficiaries of the 2024 AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign:

Eastern Cape:      

1.  Amakhuze Primary School

2.  Babheke Senior Primary School

3.  Bashee Junior Primary School

4.  Bonzai Primary School

5.  Cathcart (Rc) Primary School

6.  Daniels Public Primary School

7.  De Vos Malan Primary School

8.  Dr A W Habelgaarn Primary School

9.  Ekuphumleni Full Service School

10. Emantlaneni Junior Secondary School

11. Emazweni Primary School

12. Emfuleni LHP School

13. Empilweni Hospital (Rehabilitation Department)

14. Enduku Primary Junior School

15. Fikile Benson Gaushe Primary School

16. Fort Malan Primary School

17. Fort Warwick Farm School

18. Fountain of Life Christian School

19. Gengqe Primary School

20. Gungubele Senior Primary School

21. Harmony Education Center

22. Imbasa Primary School

23. Izwi Mentorship Hub

24. Kwanoxolo Primary School

25. Lambata Junior Secondary School

26. Lighthouse Christian School

27. Londolozani Junior Primary School

28. Lubomvini Primary School

29. Luqoqweni Junior Secondary School

30. Luzupu

31. Mabalengwe Primary School

32. Mafube Primary School

33. Makinana Public Primary School

34. Mandela Park Primary School

35. Mbambo Junior Primary School

36. Mbange Junior Secondary School

37. Mbono Junior Secondary School

38. Mbulelo Public School

39. Mdeni L/P School

40. Mfezane Primary School

41. Mgezwa Junior Secondary School

42. Mpeko Primary School

43. Ngxaza Junior Secondary School

44. Ngxwalane Primary School

45. Nkanga Junior Secondary School

46. Nokatana Primary School

47. Noncedo Combined School

48. Norwood Primary School

49. Ntlalukana Primary School

50. Ntsimbini Junior Secondary School

51. Putuma Junior Secondary School

52. Queen’s Mercy SPS

53. Rasmeni Primary Junior School

54. Rosmead Primary School

55. Siwali Junior Secondary School

56. Sonwabile Public School

57. St Andrews Junior Secondary School

58. Stedin College Primary School

59. Tshisa Primary School

60. Tsolobeng

61. Tyumbu Primary School

62. Uloyiso Christian School

63. Upper Mngamnye Junior Secondary School

64. Xuba Junior Secondary School

65. Zamani Primary School

66. Zwelihle Junior Primary School

Free State:

1. Atang Primary School

2. Bainsvlei Combined School

3. Boshof Combined School 

4. Bothaville Primary School

5. Colosseum Academy 

6. Dunamis NPO

7. Gonyane Primary School 

8. Hermana Primary School

9. Ipatleleng Primary School.

10. JMB Marokane School

11. Karabelo Primary School

12. Kgopjane Primary School

13. Leretlhabetse Primary School 

14. Lesedi La Kganya Drop In Centre

15. Mamafubedu Primary School

16. Matsieng Primary School

17. Mmulakgoro I/S

18. Nels

19. New Horizon Primary School

20. Nkgodise 

21. Ntateleng Primary School

22. Ntswanatsatsi Primary School

23. Qwabi Primary School

24. Reseamohetse Primary School

25. Roseview Primary School

26. Rouxville Primary School

27. Sankatane Primary School 

28. Seeisoville Primary School

29. Tabola Primary School

30. Tataiso Primary School

31. Thabo

32. Thembalihle Primary School

33. Tlongkganyeng Primary School

34. Toka Primary School 

35. Tshlohelo Primary School

36. Volencia Nokuthula Thwala

37. Zama Public Primary School

Gauteng:

1. Ark Soweto

2. Ayanda Primary School

3. Basa Tutorial Institute

4. Cosmo City Junior Primary School

5. Curro Helderwyk

6. Dalpark Private School

7. Fairview Junior Primary School

8. George Mbilase Primary School 

9. Gideon Rambuwani Combined School

10. Gugulesizwe Primary School 

11. Joshua Generation Center

12. Kgalema Primary School

13. Laerskool Generaal Beyers

14. Laerskool Claremont

15. Laezonia Primary Farm School 

16. Langalibalele Dube Primary School

17. Lighting The Future Foundation 

18. Masimini Primary School 

19. Mawila Combined School

20. Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School

21. Nchabeleng Primary School

22. Phumlani Primary School

23. Protea Glen Primary School No.2

24. Prudence Mlandu

25. Rethabiseng Primary School 

26. Simunye Primary School

27. St Thomas Independent School 

28. T.C Esterhuysen Primary School

29. Thokoza Primary School

30. Tirma

31. Vezulwazi Primary School

32. Vukosi Primary School 

33. Vuleka ALC

34. Zithembeni Primary School

KwaZulu-Natal:

1. Amahlongwa Juniour Primary School

2. Amatikulu Primary School

3. Amavenya Primary School

4. Amoibe Primary School

5. Bajabulile NPO

6. Bhekabantu Primary School

7. Buhlalu Primary School

8. Cebolesizwe Combined School 

9. Cranham Primary School

10. Dludla Primary School

11. Dr B.W. Vilakazi

12. Ebendle Primary School

13. Ebuhlebemfundo Primary School

14. Edakeni Combined School

15. Education First Community Projects

16. Egugwini Primary School 

17. Ehlane Primary School

18. Ekunqobeni Primary School 

19. Emsengeni Primary School

20. Engobhiyeni Primary School

21. Enhlokweni Primary School

22. Enkanini Primary School

23. Entabeni Primary School

24. Esidinsi Primary School

25. Esiqhingini Full Service School

26. Ewela Public Primary School 

27. Fairbreeze Primary School

28. Faithway College Himeville

29. Fisokuhle Primary School

30. Fundanathi Development Organisation

31. Glenmaize Primary School

32. Gqumeni Primary School

33. Hlimbithwa Primary School

34. Incabhela Primary School

35. Incophelelo Junior Primary School

36. Inkosisiphiwesamangwe Primary 

37. Isigudu Primary School

38. Isithokoziso Primary School 

39. Isithundu Primary School

40. Iziphozethu Primary School

41. Kokstad Public Primary School

42. Kwaginga Primary School

43. Kwagumbi Primary School

44. Kwajakobe Combined School

45. Kwandabezinhle Primary School 

46. Kwandwalane Primary School

47. Kwanguza Primary School 

48. Kwangwenda Primary School

49. Lembe Combined School

50. Lindumthetho Primary School

51. Little Flower Primary School

52. Magama Primary School

53. Magaye Primary School

54. Magoda Primary School

55. Maguduberg Primary School

56. Makhambane Primary School

57. Makhanya Primary School 

58. Malvern Primary School

59. Mamba Primary School 

60. Mangqakaza Primary School 

61. Mangqwashu Primary School

62. Mapholoba Primary School

63. Maphumuzana Primary

64. Maria Memorial Primary School

65. Masimdumise Primary School

66. Masiwela Combined School

67. Mathiya Primary School

68. Matshangule Primary School

69. Mfekayi Primary School

70. Minya Primary School

71. M.L Sultan Estcourt Primary School

72. M.L Sultan St Mary’s Primary School

73. Mnkunzi Primary School

74. Morris Msomi

75. Moyamuhle Primary 

76. Mpelenyane Primary School 

77. Msawenkosi Masinga

78. Mshwathi Memorial Primary School

79. Nation Builders Development 

80. New Hope Academy

81. Nhlazatshe Primary School

82. Nhlolamvula Primary School

83. Nhlonhlweni Primary School 

84. Nkabini Full Service School 

85. Nkume Primary School

86. Nkwambazi Primary School

87. Nobengela Primary School

88. Nomakhanzana Primary School

89. Nomfomela Primary School

90. Nonopha Senior Primary School

91. Ntokozo

92. Nungwane Primary School

93. Obanjeni Primary School

94. Ohlalwini Primary School

95. Phakamile Mazibuko Foundation

96. Pivaan Combined School

97. Prospect Farm Primary School 

98. Qhosheyiphethe Primary School

99. Riverwood College

100. Sakhayedwa Primary School 

101. Sakhesethu Primary School 

102. Shaida Shaik

103. Sinqobile Msweli

104. Siyamthanda Primary School

105. Sizaminqubeko Combined School

106. Sophie Phewa Combined Primary School

107. St Christopher’s School 

108. Tauricus Intermediate School 

109. Thiyasizwe Primary School

110. TPA Full-Service Primary School

111. Trenance Park Primary School

112. Unyazi Primary School 

113. Utrecht Primary School

114. Vulela Primary School

115. Wangu Primary School 

116. Whebede Primary School

117. Windy Heights Primary School 

118. Yiboni Primary School

119. Zamafuthi Combined Primary School 

120. Zamani Junior Primary School

Limpopo:

1. Allergraine Primary School

2. Ambergate

3. Byldrift Primary School

4. Chanyela Primary School 

5. Dan Primary 

6. Dennilton Educational Movement

7. Ditheku Primary

8. Flag Boshielo Primary

9. George Hasani Primary School 

10. Gonela Primary School 

11. Hlabana Primary School

12. Kalafong Primary School

13. Kgatabela Primary School 

14. Kgobokanang 

15. Kgwaredi

16. Kwenatshwene 

17. Lampstand Book Club 

18. Lephalala Primary School 

19. Luckau Primary School 

20. Machaba Primary School 

21. Madietane Primary School

22. Madobi Primary School

23. Magiledzhi Primary School 

24. Mahematshena Primary School

25. Mahlasedi Special School

26. Makanye

27. Makgwareng Primary School

28. Malema Primary School 

29. Malwandla Primary School

30. Mamoloko Primary School

31. Mangakane Lerate Primary School

32. Mankgaile Primary School

33. Marble Hall Academy

34. Masenwe Primary School

35. Masindi

36. Mathula Primary School 

37. Matshangwane Primary School

38. Mavumbha Primary School

39. Megoring Primary School

40. Meridian Combined School

41. Mhluri Primary School

42. Midah Shikwambana

43. Mmakgotlo Primary School 

44. Mogobelala

45. Mohlaba Primary School

46. Mohlala Primary School 

47. Mokgoba Primary School

48. Mokope Primary School

49. Moremi Primary School 

50. Moroleng Primary School

51. Moshasha Primary School

52. Motsephiri Primary School 

53. Motserereng  

54. Mphaaneng Primary School 

55. Mphokaneng Primary School

56. Nkgele Primary School 

57. Nzwelule Primary School

58. Ooghoek Primary School

59. Pembelani Primary School

60. Pharani Primary School

61. Rabali Primary School

62. Ramakgotho Primary School 

63. Ramarula Primary School 

64. Ramollo Primary School

65. Ranwaha Nthambeleni

66. Rita Primary School

67. Segooa Kgala

68. Sekhwiditsane Primary School 

69. Selala Primary School 

70. Sesalong

71. Sethong Primary School

72. Thutlwamakwa

73. Tivanani Primary School 

74. Tshiawelo Primary School 

75. Tshiisaphungo Primary School 

76. Tshwatlhakge Primary School

77. Tswatsane Primary School

78. W.M.Kgatla Primary School 

79. Wayeni Primary School

Mpumalanga:

1. Arbor Park Primary School

2. Delisile Constance Dlamini

3. Dientjie Primary School

4. Embonisweni Primary School 

5. Enon Primary School

6. Goba Primary School

7. Ikhwezi Primary School

8. JJ Matsane Primary School

9. Kalkoenkrans Primary School 

10. Kennen Primary School

11. Lekanang Primary School

12. Mabola Primary School

13. Majika Primary School 

14. Makwetse Primary School 

15. Maminza Primary School

16. Manyazela Primary School 

17. Masinakane Special School 

18. Mfulamudze Primary School

19. Michael Msiza

20. Mtfophi Primary School

21. Mvangatini Primary School

22. Mvuyazi Primary School

23. Narishe Primary School

24. Ngwarele Primary School

25. Nkosabo Primary School

26. Ntshuxeko Primary School 

27. Phakamani Primary School

28. Phelwane Primary School

29. Qhubekani Primary School

30. Relane Lower Primary School

31. SA Makamo

32. Shayindlovu Primary School

33. Sifunindlela Primary School

34. Sinetjhudu Primary School

35. SS Mshayisa Primary School

36. Sukumani Primary School

37. Thula Primary School

38. Thuthukani Primary School

39. Tiyimeleni Primary School 

40. Vukuzithathe Primary School 

41. Vulandhlela Primary School

42. Zamintuthuko Primary School

43. Zamokuhle Primary School

North West:

1. Angels Of Tomorrow Community Support Centre 

2. B.M. Mokitime Primary School

3. Babuseng Primary School

4. Becoming Her – Women and Children Empowerment

5. Borakalalo Primary School

6. Borite Primary School

7. Ga Israel Primary School

8. Kagisano Youth Movement

9. Kakatlela Primary School 

10. Kamogelo Primary School

11. Karlien Park Primary School

12. Kgwanyape Primary School

13. Komane Primary School

14. Lekwakwa Primary School 

15. Lencoe Primary School 

16. Lesego Primary School

17. Letsapa Primary School

18. Marotse Primary School

19. Mmatsheko Primary School

20. Mogomotsi Primary School 

21. Mokala Primary School

22. Mokgatlha Primary School 

23. Mokolokotoane Public School

24. Molelwane Primary School

25. Molema Memorial Primary School 

26. Molotlegi Malebye Primary School

27. Ngwana Sejo

28. Noka Ya Lorato

29. Nozizwe

30. Oasis Learners Academy 

31. Olebile Primary School

32. Palesa Ngwako

33. Pinky Lolwane

34. Rabotsile Primary School

35. Ratlou Primary School

36. Real Life Community Centre

37. Rethusitwe Combined School

38. Saku Primary School

39. Seetsele Primary School

40. Sensation Primary School 

41. Thuka Primary School 

42. Thuto Neo Primary School 

43. Thutong Primary School 

44. Tlale Primary School 

45. Tlhomeso Primary School

46. United Primary School

Northern Cape:

1. Bogosieng Lekwe Primary School

2. Child Welfare South-Africa (Kimberley)

3. Gaoshupe Makodi Primary School

4. H.T.T. Bidi Memorial Primary School

5. Itireleng Bokamoso Multi-Purpose Centre

6. Kgabang Primary School 

7. Kitlanyang Primary School 

8. Lareng Primary School

9. Masiza Primary School

10. Ncweng Primary School 

11. Ncwelengwe Primary School

12. New Wrenchville Primary School

13. Relekile Primary School

14. Simololang Primary School

15. Tshwarelela Primary School

16. Visisani Primary School

Western Cape:

1. Astra Special School

2. Auntie Jackie’s Aftercare

3. Avontuur LB Primêre Skool

4. Aziza Vallie

5. Bongolethu Primary School 

6. Botrivier Primary School

7. Bronwin Fisher

8. Chosi-Chosi Book Club

9. Christmas Tinto Primary School

10. Creative Skills Factory NPO

11. De Grendel School of Skills

12. De Rust Futura Academy 

13. De Villiers Primêre Skool

14. Delft-North Primary School

15. Denneprag Primêre Skool

16. Dietrich Moravian Primary School

17. Drostdy Sskv Primêre Skool

18. Edusmart Academy

19. Elizabethfontein Mor Primêre Skool

20. Fisantekraal Primary School

21. Gardenia Primary School

22. Grandmothers Against Poverty and Aids (GAPA)

23. Hillside Primary School (Bishop Lavis)

24. Impendulo Primary School

25. Isivivana Centre Library

26. Klipheuwel Primêre Skool

27. Kosie De Wet Primary 

28. Laerskool Bertie Barnard

29. Langebaan Primêre Skool

30. Langerugskool 

31. Lemoenshoek Ngk Primêre Skool

32. Molenrivier Primêre Skool

33. Molo Mhlaba

34. Nolungile Primary School

35. Nomlinganiselo Primary School

36. Northpine Primary School

37. Ottery Road Methodist Primary School 

38. Outliers

39. Colridge Primary School

40. Phakamisani Primary School

41. PJ Badenhorst Primary School

42. Porterville Primêre Skool 

43. Porterville Recreational Facility

44. Rooirivier VGK Primêre Skool

45. Ruigtevlei Primary School

46. Raithby Primary School

47. Sir Lowry’s Pass Primêre Skool

48. Solomon Qatyana Primary School

49. Slot Van Die Paarl Primêre Skool

50. St. Agnes’s Primary School

51. St. Peter’s Academy

52. The Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation

53. Uitsig Primêre Skool

54. Umthawelanga HIV/Aids and Foster Placement Organisation

55. Umyezo Wama Apile Primary School

56. VRT Pitt Primary School

57. Vuzamanzi Primary School

58. Witzenberg Rural Development Centre 

59. Zwelihle Primary School

Watch the highlights of the event in these videos:

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