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:
