With a close relationship of more than 10 years, the SAPESI Mobile Library has been a longstanding Corporate Social Investment project for Grey Africa.

SAPESI has already donated two mobile libraries to the NWDESD and they have proved to be very successful with children and teachers in the rural areas where they operate. SAPESI has been a great aid in helping to alleviate illiteracy among learners.

Owing to that success, a donation of a further seven mobile library buses will be awarded to service the entire province at the beginning of next year. This will be made possible through the expedited funding by the Japanese Embassy.

“It is always an honour to be part of Sapesi’s inspiring commitment to creating an empowered and educated nation,” says Paul Jackson, managing director at Grey Advertising Africa.

“We continue to support the SAPESI Mobile Library project with pride and devotion always keeping in mind the most important beneficiaries of our hard work : the rural school kids who are offered the opportunity to share in the joy of reading as the SAPESI mobile libraries make their way to the province's playgrounds,” he adds.

Dignitaries who attended the event included the North West MEC, Hon. Wendy Matsemela, Japan Ambassador, Shigeyuki Hiroki and the Royal Bafokeng Queen amongst others. The event was hosted by iconic media personality Tim Modise.

With the help of the Department of Basic Education, SAPESI has set up Mobile Libraries in all nine provinces in South Africa. There are 50 mobile libraries that have been donated by Japan and are currently operating in all nine provinces, servicing over 900 schools. In the Free State, SAPESI’s best performing region, 11 mobile libraries have been successfully serving 370 schools out of their 960 non-library schools as well as assist with book donations.

“With the SAPESI Mobile Library vehicles we have created and sustained a high level of children’s literacy amongst the disadvantaged schools of South Africa,” says Tadashi Hasunuma, director of SAPESI. “These buses will make a difference in the North West region that has 1 525 schools, but has less than 10% of functioning school libraries. Only 99 of those schools could attest to having libraries.” he adds.

“Over the years, Grey Africa has played a great role in helping us to achieve our goal of enhancing education through literature. We truly appreciate the agency’s continued effort and support in helping us further carry out our societal mandate,” concludes Tadashi.

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