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South Africans can now help choose which schools and academic organisations will receive a 2026 Road to Literacy mobile library trolley
For the fifth year running, South Africans are invited to nominate primary schools and education-focused non-profit organisations to receive mobile library trolleys as part of the 2026 Road to Literacy initiative.
In total, 2 000 trolley libraries, each stocked with 500 CAPS-aligned books, will be donated to help nurture a lifelong love of reading among young learners. The initiative is supported by Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA) and AVBOB.
Voting is open until 31 March 2026 via this link: https://bit.ly/4sJLVZ2.
“Speaking to educators who’ve received trolleys has shown me just how transformative this initiative is, says Karen Simpson, Managing Director at OUPSA. “We are committed to publishing in all 11 official written languages, and this campaign helps us get those books directly into the hands of learners who need them most.
“Year five is our most ambitious to date,” says Nakedi Pilane, Executive Director: Business Development and Financial Services at AVBOB. “Two thousand trolley libraries mean additional one million books in the hands of young readers. We have seen how a single trolley can change the energy of a classroom and the confidence of a learner.”
What is Road to Literacy?
Launched in 2022, Road to Literacy is a public participation campaign, that mobilises communities to contribute in the efforts to empower learners at primary school level with relevant reading resources in all 11 official written languages, by increasing access to reading materials to primary schools across South Africa.
The initiative supports early-grade reading by donating mobile trolley libraries that support literacy and numeracy, aligned with the CAPS curriculum. Its purpose is to equip teachers with versatile ready-to-use classroom libraries and give learners regular access to age-appropriate engaging books.
This year, the initiative has been extended to reach even more classrooms and communities by doubling its 2025 donation number of 1 000 to 2 000 trolley libraries. This represents an investment of R115 million as each library is valued at approximately R57 500.
How does the Road to Literacy nominations work?
Anyone can “Nominate to Educate” – parents, teachers, principals, learners, alumni, community members and even NPOs are welcome to nominate worthy recipients. Nominees should be underserviced public primary schools or education-focused NPOs that will use the trolley library 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, classroom engagement and contributes towards retention of learners through their school career. This initiative gives the public a unique opportunity to help address South Africa’s literacy crisis and support their local schools by simply spending a few minutes submitting a nomination,” adds Simpson.
Each nomination will be carefully reviewed to ensure a fair and impactful selection process. The aim is to identify schools and organisations that not only demonstrate need but are also deeply committed to improving literacy in their communities.
“Our commitment to literacy extends beyond donation. It’s about creating a lasting change through initiatives that work”, adds Pilane. “Through the Road to Literacy campaign, we are able to reach schools that often lack resources, helping to nurture a generation of readers who can imagine and achieve more.”
What is the impact of Road to Literacy?
Over the past four years, Road to Literacy has consistently built momentum by expanding the number of trolleys donated, deepening community engagement, and growing the number of learners reached.
- Approximately 4000* trolley libraries donated to schools and education NPOs across the country
- 1 966 000 books donated
- 29 525 nominations submitted
- R227 million total investment
- R57 500 average value of each trolley library
The initiative forms part of AVBOB’s broader literacy investments, including its Container Library programme, which converts shipping containers into fully equipped libraries that serve learners and communities by transforming them into welcoming, functional spaces that make books accessible to all.
Citizens’ nominations could be the difference between a learner who struggles to read and a reader who realises all the opportunities that literacy unlocks. Sharing ensures broader awareness, meaning more nominations for more deserving schools and NPOs.