Simba partners with Worldreader in South Africa to give children access to the world through reading

Simba® has announced the first step in its partnership with Worldreader, a non-profit organisation dedicated to championing digital reading in underserved communities to create a world where everyone can be a reader. The partnership will involve the donation of e-readers to South African communities benefitting more than 1,000 students, as well as encouraging consumers to download the Worldreader app to gain access to over 35,000 books.

Part of Simba’s® ‘Mapha’ commitment to unlock digital literacy, the partnership begun with the donation of 100 e-readers to Welamlambo Primary School in Tembisa, East of Johannesburg during an event on 5 December. The e-readers will be pre-loaded with works from more than 20 publishers, both international and from across Africa, including titles in English and Zulu.

Members of the public will also be able to get involved, as Simba® is encouraging people to download the Worldreader app to access the abundance of free books available to all. Information on how to download the app will feature on Simba®’s chip packets as well as on their social media platforms. This partnership will be the first of its kind in aiming to drive more than 300 million consumers to the digital reading platform by 2020.

Unathi Mhlatyana, UM general manager, PepsiCo commented:

“The use of e-readers enables learners to read at their own convenience, from a large collection of digital books, on a device the school already owns. In turn, this helps to advance reading skills that will help these children throughout their lives. Simba® is very proud to be partnering with Worldreader on this initiative which forms part of our Performance with Purpose agenda to build sustainable communities and champion education.”

Libraries in the developing world are often underfunded or lacking in relevant book titles. These conditions can leave would-be-readers with limited access to books and information that they would find useful or relatable. Currently operating in seven schools and two libraries across South Africa, Worldreader has had a direct impact on 1,800 students, teachers and families through the provision of 470 devices.

Benson Mbuthia, Worldreader Regional Program manager commented:

“We are very excited to be working with Simba® in South Africa, both through our school program here in Tembisa but also by encouraging readers across the country to access a library of books on their phone.”