Daily Maverick and Gift of the Givers launch 2026 MavericKids drop-off

The visit marked the first time the Quintile 3 no-fee school received MavericKids Activity Books, alongside essential supplies including stationery and food. Magnolia Primary serves about 600 pupils in a community where access to basic educational resources remains limited.

“We are incredibly grateful that Gift of the Givers identified our school for this opportunity, as our learners live in a deprived community facing dire socioeconomic circumstances where they often lack even basic stationery like pens and rulers,” said principal R Damonse.

"This donation will truly go a long way in supporting our children.”

The Paarl East South African Police Service escorted Gift of the Givers to Magnolia Primary. Pictured are SAPS members and community policing forum representatives with principal R Damonse and pupils from grades 1 to 4. (Photo: Talia Kincaid)

The delivery included 12 boxes of MavericKids Activity Book Volume 5, as well as 72 containers of peanut butter, distributed with the support of the Paarl East South African Police Service and the community policing forum.

Magnolia Primary, like many no-fee schools across South Africa, operates within significant constraints. While parents are not required to pay school fees, limited resources mean that schools must continuously stretch what they have, often relying on external support to meet pupils’ basic needs.

Addressing South Africa’s literacy crisis

The MavericKids initiative was launched six years ago through a partnership between Daily Maverick and Gift of the Givers, with the aim of improving access to quality reading material for children in underserved communities.

South Africa continues to face a severe literacy challenge. By Grade 4, more than 80% of children struggle to read for meaning, and by Grade 6, most have not caught up. The long-term consequences extend beyond education, affecting economic participation, social cohesion and future opportunity.

The MavericKids Activity Book is designed as a practical intervention. The 240-page annual publication, compiled from the award-winning DM168 children’s section, includes stories, puzzles and educational content that promote curiosity, general knowledge and critical thinking.

Unlike traditional textbooks, the book is designed to be interactive, something pupils can write in, engage with and return to over time.

A simple model, a growing impact

Gift of the Givers delivered 72 containers of peanut butter and 12 boxes of MavericKids Activity Book Volume 5 to Magnolia Primary, a no-fee school in Paarl East. (Photo: Talia Kincaid)

The initiative operates on a buy one, donate one model. For every MavericKids Activity Book bought through the Daily Maverick Shop, an additional copy, together with a stationery pack, is donated to a child in need through Gift of the Givers.

This model has already seen thousands of books distributed to underresourced communities across South Africa, with growing evidence of increased pupil engagement and improved literacy outcomes.

“There’s something truly special about seeing the impact of our work first-hand,” said Corbin McKrieling, disaster management coordinator at Gift of the Givers.
“We’re not just providing temporary relief; we’re investing in the future of our communities. By supporting education, feeding schemes and disaster response, we’re empowering individuals and families to break cycles of poverty and build brighter futures.”

Building momentum in 2026

The Magnolia Primary visit marks the beginning of this year’s distribution efforts, with Daily Maverick and Gift of the Givers aiming to significantly scale impact in 2026.

The organisations have set an ambitious target of 10,000 sponsored books in a single year, expanding access to reading materials for children in communities where such resources are often scarce.

Organisations interested in sponsoring MavericKids Activity Books as part of their corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives can get involved in bulk donation programmes.

The MavericKids Activity Book Volume 5 is available from the Daily Maverick Shop. Supporters can also choose to donate both copies at checkout, ensuring that two books are distributed to children in need.

For corporate or CSI enquiries, contact Ingrid Sinclair at az.oc.kcirevamyliad@dirgni.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ingrid Sinclair
Operations manager | Growth Division | Daily Maverick
az.oc.kcirevamyliad@dirgni

About Daily Maverick

Founded in 2009, Daily Maverick is an independent national news and investigative journalism publisher. It covers pressing issues across politics, business, and the environment, providing in-depth reporting and analysis on the issues shaping South Africa.

Daily Maverick remains one of the country’s largest free-to-read news platforms, supported by a voluntary membership community committed to sustaining independent journalism. Its offerings include an online platform and the weekly print edition, DM168.

About Maverick451

Maverick451 is Daily Maverick’s publishing division, established following the release of its 10-year anniversary book, We Have A Game Changer.

The imprint focuses on high-quality non-fiction, including political analysis, biography, business and children’s educational content. Maverick451 aims to publish meaningful, impactful books that resonate with South African readers and contribute to public discourse.