Page 18 - Novus Holdings In The News 2019

Reading is key to improve literacy levels among South African youth

25 January 2019: It is vital to encourage reading for pleasure among school-going children, as this will not
only encourage them to finish school and help build a better life for themselves, but also help bridge the gap
between illiteracy and unemployment in the country.
This is the view of Peter Metcalfe, Group Executive: Sales and Marketing Novus Holdings, who spoke on the
internationally observed Day of Education yesterday at Boys & Girls Clubs of Alexandra. Boys & Girls Clubs
South Africa (BGSCA), which are facility based after-school programs for school-aged children, provide daily
structured programmes on weekdays where children can explore their talents and abilities in a supportive
environment.

Novus Holdings donated two mobile libraries to the Boys & Girls Club of Alexandra yesterday. The mobile
libraries can be wheeled from one classroom to another, making them easily accessible to all the children at the
Club.

“It is vital for kids to master reading for pleasure in order to stay on track and in school. It also helps spark
imagination, which in turn helps the kids to discover new words and ideas,” said Metcalfe. “We hope that these
stunning mobile libraries will have a long-term, positive impact on the 400 children at the Boys & Girls Club of
Alexandra.”
Metcalfe’s comments come at a time when thousands of children returned to class as the 2019 school year
kicked off this month. In addition, recent research suggest that 78% of South African children in grade 4 cannot
read, while South Africa has the highest rate of youth unemployment in the world at 52,8%.

Laura Parker, Executive Director of BGCSA, says that the BGCSA team focuses on encouraging children to stay
in school and not drop out before they reach grade 12.
“We help prevent kids from dropping out by keeping them engaged in school throughout their school going
years, with daily tutoring and academic support, and by ensuring they are on track to graduate year after year.”
Parker firmly believes that reading is a critical life skill that can go a far way in alleviating the issues that the
country faces, and that starts with access to exciting and appealing books.

“This is why at all of our Clubs we have books, book clubs, and reading programs, which we make part of the
everyday schedule.”
Parker believes that by providing a well-resourced and caring space for young people, they are surrounded by
others who support them – both their peers and adults. This environment leads to academic success, a healthy
lifestyle, and developing the resilience and character it takes to be a self-sufficient adult. “Our work is proactive,
predictable, consistent, and long term – all which is necessary to change the cyclical nature of poverty.”
The donation of the mobile libraries was coordinated by Ahmed Motala, CEO of the New Africa Education
Foundation (NAEF), who has assisted Novus Holdings to donate 39 mobile libraries to schools in South Africa to
date. Novus Holdings has pledged to continue to donate these mobile libraries to schools across the country.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa
BGCSA provides facility based programs for school going and school aged youth in partnership with the City of
Johannesburg. BGCSA follows on the time-tested and proven model of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which
serves 4M youth annually and boasts alumni like Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez, and Usher. There are
currently four Boys & Girls Clubs across Johannesburg in Pimville, Protea Glen, Bertrams, and Alexandra, and
more in development to serve kids during those traditionally idle and unsupervised hours after school.

Website: www.bgcsa.org

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