Sharks support Tries for Books campaign
Thirteen mobile libraries have been donated to aid literacy programme.
![Sharks players, Cobus Reinach and Tera Mtembu reading with Cottonlands Primary School students.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2016/10/Sharks_players_Cobus_Reinach_and_Tera_Mtembu_reading_with_Cottonlands_Primary_School_students.jpg)
TEACHING children how to read gives them the tools to educate themselves, and thereby navigate their way through life. To help achieve this literacy objective, Cell C has bought 13 mobile libraries worth R320 000 to be given to 13 primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
The money has been donated to New Africa Education Foundation, an NPO that partners with government and corporate South Africa to help previously disadvantaged youth and communities by improving the standard of education.
The man behind the project is Ahmed Motala, CEO of NAEF.
“Many of our pupils come from communities that don’t have libraries and it has been shown that access to libraries improves pupil performance and increases their chances of success. According to recent statistics, of about 15 000 South African primary schools, only eight per cent have functioning libraries. A literate, educated society is a safer, healthier, and more prosperous society. So by promoting reading, writing, and other academic subjects it will lead the way in promoting prosperity through knowledge.”
The Sharks COO, Eduard Coetzee added, “It gives us great delight to be able to associate our brand with a sponsor such as Cell C, who were able to overlook competition, when it comes to enriching the lives of our youth and in particular educating our country.“Their support of the “Tries for Books” campaign highlights the wonderful ethos they have and their commitment towards an improved South Africa.”