Through its ongoing partnership with the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Ikusasalentsha, an independent Bergville-based non-profit organisation, has been named among 1 000 beneficiaries of the AVBOB Road to Literacy Campaign, one of South Africa’s most extensive mobile library initiatives aimed at improving literacy and numeracy at foundation phase level.
Ikusasalentsha is focused on advancing education, youth development, and literacy in rural communities. The organisation is driven by a collective of committed members, some of whom are DUT students, alumni, and staff members, further strengthening its connection to higher education and community engagement initiatives.
The organisation entered the competition following a nationwide call for nominations for the AVBOB Road to Literacy Campaign and submitted a collective motivation in support of its work. Confirmation of its selection was received in October 2025, when Ikusasalentsha was officially notified that it had been chosen as one of the campaign’s beneficiaries.
Implemented in partnership with Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA), the AVBOB Road to Literacy Campaign addresses South Africa’s ongoing challenges of low literacy and numeracy among young learners by providing culturally and linguistically relevant learning materials in all eleven official written languages. The books are aligned with the CAPS curriculum and are designed to support early reading and numeracy development during the critical foundation phase.
As part of the award, Ikusasalentsha received a mobile trolley library comprising 500 books for primary school learners from Grades R to Grade 7. The organisation plans to distribute the books to schools participating in the Book Club initiative under the DUT Bergville Literacy Programme. The top-performing school in the 2025 Bookathon competition will receive the trolley library together with an additional 100 books, while five other participating schools will each receive 80 books. Distribution is expected to take place in January 2026, with final dates currently being confirmed.
Speaking on the achievement, Mukelani Radebe, a member of Ikusasalentsha and DUT staff member, said, “We are grateful for our partnership with the DUT Community Engagement Unit, which made our participation in the AVBOB Road to Literacy Campaign possible. Receiving a trolley library with 500 books is a meaningful achievement for Ikusasalentsha and the Bergville community, and it strengthens our commitment to promoting literacy.”
By being named among the 1 000 beneficiaries, Ikusasalentsha continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing early literacy and numeracy, contributing to broader national efforts to ensure young learners are given a strong foundation for future academic success.
Pictured: Members of Ikusasalentsha at Inkosi-Masumpa Primary School during the activation of the 2025 Bergville Literacy Programme in June 2025. Inkosi-Masumpa is one of the primary schools participating in the programme.
Phumeza Msongelwa
