“Let’s Spread the Word”: Joburg Teens Launch Book Drive to Tackle Literacy Crisis, SA Impressed

• Jenovic Lumu and three St John's College peers founded Next Chapter Jozi after noticing the gap in resources between Johannesburg schools
• The student-led team collected over 2,500 books and built 3D-printed STEM kits for under-resourced inner-city schools
• South African viewers praised the teens' initiative and called on others to help spread the word

Four Johannesburg teenagers are taking the city's literacy crisis into their own hands. Jenovic Lumu, Jesse Lang, Navmith Vandanapu, and Nikolas Roos founded Next Chapter Jozi, a completely student-run initiative aimed at closing the resource gap between well-funded and under-resourced schools in inner-city Johannesburg.

Jenovix, who attended Berea Primary and Barnato Park High before moving to St John's College, said the contrast between his old and new schools was impossible to ignore. That firsthand experience became the driving force behind the project, which the team launched alongside their peers to create something tangible rather than just talk about the problem.

Read also

Wits Registrar Carol Crosley gets emotional farewell after nearly 30 years of service

Books and STEM kits for inner-city schools

Since launching, the team has collected over 2,500 books and developed hands-on STEM kits using 3D-printing technology. Their primary partner is Berea Primary School, where they run reading sessions, provide age-appropriate literature, and deliver the learning tools directly to classrooms.

None of this happens during school hours. Instagram account @nextchapterjozi notes that the team manages logistics, operations, and communications during evenings and weekends, fitting the project around their own studies. They have also had to push back against scepticism from some adults who doubt what a group of teenagers can realistically achieve.

See the Instagram post that inspired many viewers below:

Mzansi rallies behind the young founders

Next Chapter Jozi shared their story on Instagram on 8 September 2026, and South Africans were quick to respond with admiration and a desire to get involved.

@linekehaydock wrote:

"How wonderful! Let's spread the word - @goodthingsguy and @aneleandtheclubon947 have a look at this."

Read also

Missy Elliott's Surprise Endorsement: Koki's Head Girl Campaign Goes Viral

@lila.gorg asked:

"These are the types of things that the youth should be involved in. How do I participate?"

@grannypad shared:

"Bravo! Enjoying reading gives one incredible pleasure, and the world is opened up on those pages! Favourite books become friends for life to be revisited as often as one likes and make loneliness impossible!"

@zahra.bookshelf said:

"I love these initiatives 🥰."

@twigsevw added:

"Amazing! Well done to these young men!"

@riana_scheepers.skrywer commented:

"Excellent! Love you!"

3 Briefly News articles about learners

• A Free State high school celebrated its first male overall top achiever during preliminary exams with a traditional white blazer ceremony.
• A 26-year-old mother inspired many after making the courageous decision to return to high school to complete her education and build a better future for her child.
• A thrilling video of Maritzburg College boys passionately belting their iconic war cry made old boys proud, and social media users were deeply touched.

Source: Briefly News