Ntokozo Ndlovu, founder of Siyafunda Donate a Book, saw a glaring issue: rural schools in South Africa lacked books that truly engaged children. Determined to make a difference, he started collecting and donating books, a small act that has since transformed into a massive literacy movement. Today, his initiative has placed nearly a million books in 70 schools, reaching over 80,480 students.
Ndlovu believes that literacy isn’t just about reading; it’s about giving children the tools to dream and succeed. “Books are critical; they are not just a luxury, they are a critical part of our lives,” he says. His approach goes beyond merely donating books; he ensures they are relatable. “In order to instill this love for books, we need to attract them. If they love soccer, you need to have books that speak about soccer.”
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Sustaining the Fight for Literacy
Despite its success, Siyafunda Donate a Book faces ongoing challenges. Socio-economic barriers make access to books difficult, and many children still lack quality reading materials. Ndlovu’s work has gained recognition, and he has been awarded the Gauteng Youth Excellence Award (2016), Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans (2020), and the Annual Time of the Writer Literature Champion Award (2021), but he knows there is still more to do.
His next goal? Opening a charity bookshop to fund more literacy initiatives. But he insists this isn’t a one-man mission. Community involvement is essential. Volunteers maintain libraries, and local schools must play an active role in fostering a reading culture.
The fight for literacy is far from over, but thanks to Ntokozo Ndlovu’s dedication, thousands of children now have books in their hands and hope in their hearts. As Kofi Annan said: “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”
Image: via Stimulus Maksima
