DP World and Motus have opened their 100th school library, expanding a literacy programme that has supported more than 230,000 learners in underserved South African communities.
The milestone comes as South Africa continues to face significant foundational literacy challenges, with only around 30% of Grade 1–3 learners meeting reading benchmarks in their home language, according to the Department of Basic Education’s 2025 Funda Uphumelele National Survey.
The DP World and Motus Community Trust opened its 100th library on 27 October, extending a programme that combines access to books and technology with dedicated reading spaces, trained librarian assistants and structured literacy support.
The Trust says its libraries currently reach approximately 125,000 learners daily.
A reading programme facilitated by librarians focuses specifically on foundational literacy among Grade 1–3 learners, including reading for meaning and comprehension.
The model extends the investment beyond infrastructure by placing trained, full-time librarian assistants in the facilities to help learners access resources and develop regular reading habits.
Motus Chief Executive Officer Ockert Janse van Rensburg said providing resources was only the first part of creating sustainable educational outcomes.
“Creating access is an important first step, but lasting outcomes stem from creating environments where learners feel comfortable using this access and applying it to improve their future prospects,” Janse van Rensburg said.
The literacy programme developed from a community-development initiative established by Hafiz Mahomed and the late Bill Lynch in 2003 through the Imperial and Ukhamba Community Development Trust.
Initially focused on improving mathematics and science performance in township schools, the initiative subsequently identified foundational literacy as an important requirement for learners to progress across other areas of education.
Libraries and resource centres became a central component of the education programme from 2010.
The initiative has since developed into a long-term corporate social investment programme combining educational infrastructure, literacy development, technology access and human resources.
Its impact also extends into employment and skills development.
Librarian assistant positions provide young people with work and skills-development opportunities, while some former assistants have progressed into education careers, including positions as teachers and heads of department.
DP World and Motus Community Trust Chairman Hafiz Mahomed said the programme’s development demonstrated the value of sustained investment in literacy.
“What began as part of a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment transaction in 2003 has grown into one of South Africa’s most enduring and sustainable literacy programmes,” Mahomed said.
“Behind each of these one hundred libraries stands a school, a community, a generation of learners and a team of dedicated educators who believe that books, properly chosen and properly used, and a conducive environment can change a child’s trajectory.”
The programme has also drawn on partnerships with businesses and employment initiatives, including Europcar, Hyundai, Renault and YES4Youth.
The collaboration demonstrates a shared-value approach in which corporate investment, education interventions and employment opportunities are combined to address interconnected social challenges.
For Motus, the investment forms part of its broader Mobility for Good purpose.
“Through this initiative, we are investing in resources, people, and partnerships because we believe sustained access to literacy can help create opportunities that will impact the lives of individuals, families, communities and, ultimately, our country,” Janse van Rensburg said.
With more than 230,000 learners reached since the programme began, the 100-library milestone demonstrates how sustained corporate and community partnerships can build educational infrastructure while strengthening literacy, skills and opportunities in underserved communities.
