Philena Primary School situated in Olievenhoutbos, Centurion, were the proud recipients of three stunning mobile libraries which were kindly sponsored by The Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA). Despite research showing that access to libraries improves learner performance and increases their chances of success, learners at Philena Primary were deprived of this critical resource. With the introduction of MANCOSA’s innovative mobile libraries, which can be wheeled from one classroom to another, learners at Philena Primary can now easily access a diverse collection of books, in their classrooms.

Mr Abdulla Sardiwalla, Associate Director at MANCOSA led the handover to the management at Philena Primary. Sardiwalla was happy to state that in 2017, MANCOSA had embarked on implementing one of its most exciting social projects, the Read to Lead campaign, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education. The campaign will result in the provisioning of mobile libraries across South Africa, at under-resourced, deserving schools. Sardiwalla further stated that MANCOSA has heeded the call made by the Honourable Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, for all South Africans to support the Read to Lead campaign.“A literate, educated society is a safer, healthier, and more prosperous society. It is envisaged that the introduction of these mobile libraries will contribute in a small, yet meaningful way in improving the literacy rate in our country,” said Sardiwalla.

The launch of the mobile libraries at Philena Primary was also attended by representatives of the Department of Basic Education, the Gauteng Education Department and the Provincial Libraries Department. Director of Partnerships for Education at the Department of Basic Education (DBE) Mr Louis Taylor, praised MANCOSA for this initiative and urged all South Africans to contribute towards improving literacy rates in South Africa through the Read to Lead campaign. Government alone cannot address the problems in education. Assistance from the private sector is needed and welcomed. This is an excellent example of a public-private sector partnerships in action, added Taylor. Mr L.D. Mogashoa, Principal of Philena Primary, was delighted that his school was chosen by MANCOSA.

Mogashoa advised all the learners present, that it was vitally important that they spend more time reading if they intended boosting their academic performance. “We will ensure that our learners and educators maximise these resources so that our learners excel in their reading and writing skills,” said Mogashoa.

The roll-out of the mobile libraries to the beneficiary schools was coordinated and managed by Ahmed Motala of the New Africa Education Foundation, an NPO that has partnered with MANCOSA and the Department of Basic Education.