As JK Rowling said, “When in doubt, go to the library”.
Now, the learners from Lakeside Primary School in Reiger Park will have that opportunity as The DP World & Motus Community Trust (the Trust) celebrated its 20th year by unveiling its 76th library and resource centre at the school.
The Trust – pioneered by entrepreneurs Bill Lynch and Hafiz Mohamed in 2004 – aims to create a focus on education and upliftment in underserved communities. Today, it boasts a network of 76 functioning libraries and resource centres, employing over 81 full-time staff with help from 15 Youth Employment Service (YES) learners.
Over 85 300 learners have daily (Monday to Saturday) access to fully stocked internet-enabled resource centres and full-time librarian assistants. The assistants, in addition to ensuring use and resource access, also provide reading programme help and ensure learning is enhanced by creative competitions in fun-filled environments.
The purpose-built resource centre at Lakeside Primary School will serve more than 1 300 learners from Grade R to Grade Seven and has barcoded books, teaching aids, sports equipment, charts, board games, and computers with computer-based programmes. The centre also features a whiteboard, chairs, desks, carpeted reading areas and training rooms, and will be managed by two trained librarian assistants.
Lakeside Primary will be part of the Trust’s pilot online reading programme introduced in 2024, allowing learners to access graded reading material at school and home if they have the necessary device.
The event also heralded the new name of the Trust – formerly the Imperial & Motus Community Trust – which was renamed after the acquisition of Imperial Logistics (Imperial) by DP World in March 2022.
Imperial and Motus have been key sponsors of this programme for the past 20 years, supporting the Trust’s aim to not only build physical libraries and resource centres but to focus on developing literacy and reading skills through a comprehensive and sustainable literacy intervention initiative.
Mohammed Akoojee, the CEO for sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said: “The renaming of the DP World and Motus Community Trust aligns with DP World’s ongoing commitment to ensuring we operate as a responsible business. This includes prioritising sustainability and impact on people, the environment and the communities in which we operate to achieve a better, more socially equitable and sustainable future. Education is one of the three areas through which we aim to leave a lasting legacy, and the libraries provided through the Trust will help provide access to quality education to the SA youth, building the necessary skills and experience to compete in the evolving global market, so no one is left behind.”
Osman Arbee, the CEO of Motus, said: “Motus remains committed to investing in the education of SA’s youth and is proud to continue our partnership in the DP World and Motus Community Trust – our growth and learnings during the past 20 years have reiterated that focus and commitment ensure we can make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. Literacy is critical for our youth to grow to their full potential and remains a springboard to opportunities. It is a privilege to see how past and present learners have been positively impacted by the lasting legacy the Trust has created. On behalf of Motus we congratulate the Trust on this milestone and wish the school and community well as they continue working with the Trust in creating learning networks of excellence.”
The Trust remains committed to increasing reading skills and access to learning resources in underserved communities, and today’s unveiling is another step in the journey towards the Trust’s goal of 100 libraries by 2025.
School principal Craig Jansen expressed his gratitude,
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you have done for the school. You have really made a difference. This is a worthy cause, and we will take pride in the library and resource centre and encourage learners to read.”
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