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SAPESI — Bringing Smiles Through Books to South Africa
SA and Japan-initiated NPO expanding reading opportunities for rural children across South Africa through mobile library buses
Our Mission
SAPESI works to resolve the educational divide in South Africa by providing mobile library buses donated from Japan. These travelling libraries bring reading and writing opportunities to children in rural areas where access to books is limited.
By partnering with local education departments and leveraging the generosity of Japanese donors, we're creating sustainable literacy resources that can reach even the most remote communities. Our mission focuses on long-term educational impact, believing that literacy is the foundation for future success.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." — Nelson Mandela
What We Do
SAPESI creates reading opportunities across South Africa through our comprehensive mobile library project. Our work spans from sourcing and importing library buses to partnering with provincial education departments for nationwide implementation.
Library Bus Importation
We import and refurbish mobile library buses donated from Japan, transforming them into travelling resource centers filled with books in multiple South African languages.
National Deployment
Our mobile libraries operate across all nine South African provinces, bringing books and literacy resources to schools that would otherwise lack library facilities.
Literacy Support
We provide ongoing literacy programme support and resources to help teachers improve reading and writing skills among their students.
International Collaboration
We foster partnerships between Japanese organizations, corporations, and South African educational authorities to sustain and expand our impact.
Our Impact
SAPESI's mobile libraries are transforming educational opportunities across South Africa, bringing books and learning resources to communities where they were previously scarce.
32
Mobile Libraries
Library buses currently operating across four provinces, bringing books directly to schools
510
Schools Served
Primary and secondary schools receiving regular visits from our mobile libraries
6,250
Teachers Supported
Educators provided with literacy resources to enhance their teaching
174,000
Children Reached
Young learners who now have access to books and reading materials
Our ambitious goal is to expand to 100 buses serving 4,500 schools and reaching 2 million children. Each mobile library becomes a beacon of learning in communities where books were once a luxury rather than a necessity.
Our Reach
SAPESI's mobile libraries traverse the diverse landscapes of South Africa, from coastal regions to inland plains, bringing books to rural schools across all nine provinces.
Eastern Cape
Serving rural schools along the Wild Coast and inland communities
Free State
Mobile libraries crossing the central plains to reach isolated farming communities
Gauteng
Supporting township schools around Johannesburg and Pretoria
KwaZulu-Natal
From coastal communities to the Drakensberg foothills
Western Cape
Reaching schools from Cape Town's periphery to the arid Karoo region
We're actively expanding into Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and North West provinces to achieve nationwide coverage.
Support Our Work
Your support can help bridge the educational divide and bring the joy of reading to children across South Africa. Whether through financial contributions, book donations, or volunteering your time, you can make a lasting difference in a child's education.
Every contribution, regardless of size, helps us put more mobile libraries on the road and reach more schools in remote areas. Together, we can create a future where every child has access to books and the opportunity to develop essential literacy skills.
Latest News
October 2025: Held a meeting with the Gauteng Department of Basic Education
SAPESI South Africa met with Director Mandla and Mr. Ayanda to review next steps for registering the mobile library truck donated by Takehara City. Both sides confirmed roles and the timeline, aiming to complete registration within this fiscal year.
Thank you for your continued support for the South Africa Mobile Library Truck Donation Project.
October 2025: Mobile Library Display at the Johannesburg Japanese School Spring Festival
SAPESI showcased a mobile library at the Spring Festival hosted by the Johannesburg Japanese School, with support from the Gauteng Department of Basic Education. The event offered local families an opportunity to learn about our mobile library activities.
We also received a generous donation of English children’s books from Sumitomo Corporation Africa (Pty) Ltd, which will enhance reading opportunities on our mobile libraries.
Japan-Donated Mobile Library Arrives in South Africa
A mobile library truck donated by Takehara City in Hiroshima has arrived in Johannesburg and was officially handed over to the Gauteng Department of Basic Education. It will serve primary schools without libraries in the southern region of the province.
This vehicle is the 54th mobile library donated since the project began in 2009. The shipment was supported by the Komatsu Foundation Trust, Takehara City, and MOL, with additional English book donations collected by volunteers.
Our Partners and Sponsors
SAPESI's work is made possible through the generous support of corporate partners, foundations, and individual donors. These organisations share our commitment to improving educational opportunities for South African children.
Interested in becoming a corporate partner? Your organisation can make a meaningful difference in children's education while demonstrating social responsibility.
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about our work, want to support our mission, or are interested in volunteering, our team is here to help.
  • Email: info atmark sapesiza.org
  • Address: Johannesburg Office, South Africa
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For Japanese supporters and organisations interested in donating vehicles or books, please contact our Japan liaison office:
  • Email: info atmark sapesi-japan.org
  • Address: Tokyo Office, Japan

Important Notice: Please be cautious of unsolicited emails requesting payments on behalf of SAPESI. We never ask for bank details via email. Contact us directly if you receive suspicious communications.
Connect With Us
Stay updated with SAPESI's latest news, success stories, and upcoming events by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter.
Follow us for daily updates, photos from our mobile libraries, and stories from the schools we serve
Subscribe for videos from our mobile libraries and behind-the-scenes stories from our work in South Africa and Japan.
See our mobile libraries in action through visual stories from across South Africa and Japan.
Visit our Japan site for project updates and information on how Japanese communities support mobile libraries in South Africa.
SAPESI - South African Primary Education Support Initiative
A registered non-profit organisation in South Africa and Japan, dedicated to improving literacy through mobile libraries.
© 2025 SAPESI. All rights reserved.