Making a Difference Beyond Media
At Alphabet Soup, we believe our responsibility extends beyond business success. Our commitment to corporate social initiatives reflects our core values of community empowerment, education, and sustainable impact. Through thoughtfully designed programs and partnerships, we strive to create meaningful change in the communities we serve, leveraging our resources and expertise to address social challenges and contribute to a more equitable society.
Alphabet Soup's Madiba Day Book Drive: Spreading Literacy, One Book at a Time
At Alphabet Soup, we believe in the power of storytelling — not just through the media we place, but through the lives we touch. Since 2013, our team has proudly hosted the Annual Madiba Day Book Drive, a heartfelt Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative born from a simple but powerful idea: that books have the ability to uplift, empower, and transform communities.
This initiative was spearheaded by Nicolette Lewin, who recognised a growing need for access to books in under-resourced areas across South Africa. Inspired by Madiba's legacy of education and service, she set out to build something meaningful — a campaign that not only collects books, but ensures they end up in the hands of those who need them most.
Over the past eight years, the Madiba Day Book Drive has grown into a national effort. To date, more than 15,000 books have been collected and distributed to various charities, early learning centres, and educational NGOs across the country. Every year, we hand-select beneficiary organisations whose missions align with our values: improving literacy, nurturing young minds, and driving lasting social change through access to reading material.
Our partnerships speak volumes.
Touch Africa
Touch Africa has been one of our key partners. Alphabet Soup has contributed books to their container libraries — vibrant learning spaces built from refurbished shipping containers, strategically placed in rural and underserved areas. These libraries serve as safe, functional, and inspiring spaces where children can discover the joy of reading and learning.
Seeds of Africa
Seeds of Africa, another longstanding partner, is a non-profit organisation focused on community upliftment through early childhood education and enterprise development. Our book donations have supported their learning centres, helping to develop foundational literacy skills in some of South Africa's most disadvantaged communities. By fuelling young imaginations with stories and knowledge, we help plant seeds for a more empowered future.
Deloitte
We've also partnered with Deloitte, assisting in their outreach efforts to provide rural communities with access to books. Our collaboration ensures that donated books reach learners who might otherwise have no access to reading material at all. Together, we aim to close the gap in educational resources and ignite a love for learning in every child reached.
More Than Just Books: The Intention Behind Every Donation
Connecting
For us, it's about more than just giving — it's about connecting, contributing, and creating opportunity.
Books are powerful tools that foster critical thinking, self-confidence, and hope.
Opportunity
In communities where libraries are rare and textbooks are shared, a single donated book can spark curiosity and change a life.
Small Actions, Lasting Impact
Our Madiba Day Book Drive is a reminder that small actions, when done with great love, have lasting impact. And as we continue this journey, we remain committed to growing the initiative year after year — reaching more communities, uplifting more futures, and turning the page toward a brighter South Africa for all.
Growing impact, year after year
Communities
Futures
Hope
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Alphabet Soup Media
Johannesburg, South Africa