KUGOMPO CITY, EASTERN CAPE — In a significant move to enhance educational resources, the higher education institution MANCOSA has donated mobile libraries to four primary schools in the Eastern Cape to promote early literacy and bridge resource gaps.
Four local schools benefitted from the intervention. Each school was provided with three mobile library units, valued at R35,000 each, and fully stocked with 300 books tailored to various grade levels. The donation arrives at a critical time, as these institutions have faced significant delays in receiving standard study materials from the provincial education department and have long operated without physical library facilities.
The initiative aligns with the vision of MANCOSA founder Professor Yusuf Karodia, who prioritizes community upliftment and foundational reading skills. Ahmed Motala, a spokesperson for the institution, urged the schools to make full use of the new assets. He noted that the provision of these materials eliminates previous excuses regarding a lack of books in schools, expressing confidence that the educators would properly manage and integrate the libraries into their daily teaching. The donation comes with a specific mandate for the schools to maintain and fully embrace the facilities.
The provincial government has welcomed the intervention as a vital step in addressing infrastructure backlogs. Yandisa Plata from the Eastern Cape Education Department explained that the curriculum-aligned books—covering core subjects like mathematics and science—will directly support learners. However, Plata also highlighted ongoing systemic challenges, noting a persistent shortage of both traditional and electronic libraries. He emphasized the need for more comprehensive library infrastructure so that students can continue to read extensively and maximize their academic potential.
On the ground, the reception from the school community has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents expressed relief that the initiative bridges the gap caused by governmental delivery delays, ensuring that students no longer have to share textbooks. Learners also celebrated the development, with one student pointing out that having individual books will ease the financial burden on their families for educational materials and provide a better, more personalized learning experience.
As the new infrastructure is rolled out, organizers and local leaders have urged the surrounding communities to take an active role in safeguarding these valuable assets against vandalism and criminal elements, ensuring they remain a lasting educational benefit for the students.