A New Chapter for Rural KZN: Libraries Bring Books Closer to Learners
On 7 September 2026, Mengu Primary School received two trolley libraries, while Thongwana High School received a container library. Both schools are in the Umkhanyakude Education District.
The Department of Basic Education reported that Minister Siviwe Gwarube joined representatives from AVBOB and Oxford University Press for the handovers during National Book Week.
PUTTING OPPORTUNITY WITHIN REACH
The initiative supports efforts to strengthen reading and bring educational resources to rural communities.
Speaking about access to education, Gwarube said: “Where a learner lives should never determine the quality of education they receive or the opportunities available to them.”
It is a principle worth holding onto. A child’s curiosity deserves encouragement wherever that child grows up. Making books available is one practical way to honour that promise.
READING STARTS AT SCHOOL AND CONTINUES AT HOME
The department’s account also emphasised the importance of parents and communities in developing a reading culture. Partners highlighted access to age-appropriate books at school and at home, alongside family involvement.
That is an invitation for adults to participate too: to listen as a child works through a sentence, ask about a favourite story, or make a little room in the day for reading together.
Those moments need not be grand. Giving a child patient attention can make reading feel like something shared and enjoyed.
A BEGINNING WORTH CELEBRATING
The handovers mark a concrete addition to the schools’ learning resources. Their lasting value will grow through the teachers and learners who use them.
For now, there is good reason to celebrate something simple and meaningful: more books within reach, and more opportunities for children to open them.
In a country with so many stories to tell, helping the next generation become confident readers is a hopeful investment in the stories still to come.
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About Zanele Mthembu
Zanele Mthembu covers South African community news for Trustoria, focusing on municipal developments, social justice and local culture. Based in Durban and rooted in her Zulu heritage, she brings clarity and compassion to stories that affect everyday lives, combining a commitment to accountability with a passion for highlighting community achievements, resilience and positive change.
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