In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to community upliftment and educational development, AVBOB proudly unveiled its 72nd library at Northern Cape Primary School in Olifantshoek, Northern Cape on Tuesday, 23 September. The library, valued at over R532 000 and stocked with 3 000 age-appropriate books, marks another milestone in the organisation’s long-standing efforts to empower young learners.
This initiative forms part of AVBOB’s broader Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy, which aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, fostering meaningful partnerships between the public and private sectors to build sustainable educational infrastructure.
Key facts about the AVBOB Container Library Project
- The first container library was donated in 2013 at Shukumani Primary School in Tembisa.
- AVBOB has invested over R36 million in the Container Library Project.
- Over 216 000 books have been donated.
- The project has positively impacted over 71 068 learners and over 2 032 educators across all nine provinces.
- AVBOB has spent R8,3 million refurbishing and maintaining donated libraries to ensure their longevity and continued benefit.
Each container library is more than a physical space; it is a gateway to possibilities. By embedding literacy infrastructure directly into schools, AVBOB is helping to dismantle long-standing barriers to learning and creating an environment where curiosity, academic achievement, and personal growth can flourish.
“Literacy is more than just the ability to read, it's the foundation for lifelong learning, critical thinking and opportunity,” said Nakedi Pilane, AVBOB Executive Director: Business Development and Financial Services.
“We believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves access to knowledge, imagination and opportunity. This library is not just a donation, it is an investment in future leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.”
Mr J Vries, Principal at Northern Cape Primary School said, “We are deeply grateful for the generous donation of this library. Our school is in a disadvantaged community where low literacy levels remain a serious challenge. This new library is more than just a room filled with books – it’s a transformative and inclusive learning environment for both our learners and staff.
“Many of our learners struggle with reading, and this resource will play a critical role in helping to address that. With access to a wide range of engaging books, we believe a genuine love for reading will begin to take root. It also offers our learners a quiet, safe space to conduct research, explore new ideas, and develop the creative and critical thinking skills that are essential for their academic and personal growth,” Vries added.
For many learners, the library represents their first access to a well-resourced learning space, one that can profoundly influence not only academic performance but also self-confidence and aspirations.
In a complementary initiative, the AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign, in partnership with Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA), awarded 1 000 primary schools and NGOs trolley libraries in 2025. Each trolley contains 500 OUPSA books aligned with the CAPS curriculum, supporting literacy and numeracy development. In the Northern Cape, 21 schools have been selected as beneficiaries. The total number of books distributed this year will exceed 500 000, doubling the 2024 figure.
As learners turn the pages of their new books, they are also turning the page to a brighter future filled with possibility, knowledge and hope.
“We’re incredibly proud to be part of a story that will unfold over many years as generations of learners walk through this library’s doors. The true return on this investment will be seen in the confidence, creativity and courage of the young minds it helps to shape. AVBOB’s investment in literacy is not just about today, it’s about transforming tomorrow,” concluded Pilane.
List of schools that benefited from the 2025 AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign in the Northern Cape
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