Former corporate executive and social entrepreneur Lebogang Khunou’s passion for collecting books for young readers and mentoring the next Tech entrepreneurs
She is currently colleting books for the benefit of STADT Primary school learners in Northwest Province and is mentoring and training 20 IT graduates to become Tech entrepreneurs.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
Former corporate executive, business mentor and social entrepreneur Lebogang Khunou knows how difficult it is for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to access books for reading for pleasure, and therefore she is doing something about it.
The enterprising entrepreneur is currently collecting books donated by individuals to start a library at a historic but poor school in Northwest Province whose learners neither have a library nor access to books.
The school called STADT Primary School, based in Barolong Ba-Ratshidi founded in 1878 by Methodist missionaries has seen important people go through its gates as learners, including then Northwest Province’s current MEC for Education Viola Motsumi. It is now a government school, but lacks resources, including a library.
“I have been collecting books for a while now under the auspices of Pages of Hope, with a view of identifying a school that lacks resources, and therefore, I ended up identifying this school as the first beneficiary. I have so far collected 200 books, and the aim is to collect 2000 by end of January, 2026, books that will constitute the library for the school before I move on to other schools.
“I am also grateful to the principal of the school Mrs Manyaapelo, a visionary leader who cares about the learners and who embraced the idea immediately after I was introduced to her by community leader Mr AI Molema, a good leader who cares about the community, Khunou told CITYLIFE/ARTs in an interview.
Khunou has impressive academic credentials. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Pretoria, an Executive Development Programme qualification (Organizational Leadership) from Stellenbosch University/Universiteit Stellenbosch, Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Information Systems (Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management, from University of Cape Town, among other post graduate qualifications.
Khunou told CITYLIFE/ARTS that what motivated her to start this initiative is the fact that she has noticed that children from poor schools struggle when they get to university, and one of the reasons is that they were not introduced to a reading culture, reading for pleasure in their formative years.
“Most of the books I have collected were donated by individuals who have these books in their homes that they no longer need since their children have grown up. The response has been great from many people. For example, there is one person who donated 46 books as she was touched, especially because personally, she struggled when she was admitted at a Model C boarding school coming from a poor background herself, learning with other students who came from wealthy families,”Khunou said.
Khunou also added that those who may not have books can also pledge to donate money that will be used to buy books, and all the money collected will be accounted for as the people who donate will be given proof of what the money has been used for by the school.
However Khunou’s passion for social entrepreneurship goes far beyond collecting books for young readers.
“I am passionate about youth empowerment through entrepreneurship coaching. I do this through my company Lebonemarang and Summer, which offers entrepreneurship training and mentorship to IT graduates. Currently, I have a group of 20 such young IT graduates who will start the training and mentorship programme from next month. The aim is to identify and find top Tech entrepreneurs. This is quite important especially because in the country right now, the rate of youth unemployment is high. The fact that our education system educates people to look for work after graduating, instead of being employers of other young people is not helpful either,” Khunou explained.
Back to the book collecting initiative, Khunou is calling for those who have books and want to donate or pledge financially to contact her.
Brief history and facts about STADT Primary School
.The school was started in 1878 by Silas T Molema
.The school was first held under one large Kameeldoring Tree which is still stands in the centre of buildings today
.The first principal was Barnabas Samson a former student of Heald-Town Methodist School in the Eastern Cape
.When the school was founded, it became one of the first schools within the Barolong tribe as well as the then Bechuana land
.The school has 20 class rooms, one mobile class, 30 teachers and 1010 learners
.For those who would like to donate books or pledge money for books can contact Lebogang Khonou on 0820598364.