East London communities are being urged to help bring much-needed Caps-aligned books to primary school pupils through the 2026 Road to Literacy initiative, now in its fifth year running.
The campaign will donate 2,000 mobile library trolleys, each stocked with 500 Caps-aligned books and valued at about R57,500, doubling last year’s reach and placing the initiative on track to surpass two million donated books since its inception.
Members of the public are invited to nominate underserviced public primary schools and education-focused nonprofit organisations to receive the mobile libraries, which aim to nurture a lifelong love of reading among young pupils.
In November, The Go! reported that George Randell Primary was selected as a beneficiary of the initiative, and received 500 books worth R57,000, through support from Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Oupsa) and AVBOB.
Oupsa managing director Karen Simpson told the Go! public voting opened last week and nominations would remain open until the end of March.
“Anyone can use the link and QR code to nominate their school,” Simpson said.
“Speaking to educators who have received trolleys has shown me just how transformative this initiative is.”
She says Oupsa’s commitment to publishing in all 11 official written languages ensures that pupils receive books that are accessible and relevant.
“This campaign helps us get those books directly into the hands of learners who need them most.”
AVBOB executive director for business development and financial services, Nakedi Pilane, described this year’s campaign as the most ambitious to date.
“Two thousand trolley libraries mean an additional one million books in the hands of young readers,” Pilane said.
“We have seen how a single trolley can change the energy of a classroom and the confidence of a learner.”
Pilane says the initiative aims to mobilise communities to empower pupils at primary school level by increasing access to reading materials in all official languages.
“The Road to Literacy initiative supports early-grade reading by donating mobile trolley libraries that promote literacy and numeracy, aligned with the Caps curriculum,” she said.
“Its purpose is to equip teachers with ready-to-use classroom libraries and give learners regular access to age-appropriate, engaging books.”
By doubling the number of libraries from 1,000 in 2025 to 2,000 in 2026, the initiative represents an investment of about R115m.
She says nominees must be underserviced public primary schools or education-focused NPOs that will use the libraries to strengthen reading in the foundation and intermediate phases.
“Access to books in a learner’s mother tongue improves reading for meaning at formative stages, increases classroom engagement, and contributes to learner retention throughout their school career.”
Simpson says the campaign offers the public a meaningful way to help address SA’s literacy crisis.
“Each nomination is carefully reviewed to ensure a fair and impactful selection process,” she said.
“The aim is to identify schools and organisations that demonstrate both a need and a strong commitment to improving literacy in their communities.
“Our commitment goes beyond donation.
“It’s about creating lasting change.
“Through the Road to Literacy campaign, we are helping to nurture a generation of readers who can imagine and achieve more,” Simpson said.
Nominations can be submitted via: https://bit.ly/4sJLVZ2
This campaign helps us get those books directly into the hands of learners who need them most
