Jenovic Lumu is a 17-year-old changemaker who refused to look away from the literacy gap and launched Next Chapter Jozi to bring books, STEM opportunities, and mentorship to under-resourced schools in inner-city Johannesburg!
Johannesburg, South Africa (06 July 2026) – Many learners in under-resourced communities lack consistent access to books, quiet reading spaces, or educational enrichment outside the classroom. When 17-year-old Jenovic Lumu was confronted with this reality, he refused to look away. Instead, he felt compelled to make a difference in his corner of the world.
Driven by a mission to put books into the hands of learners in disadvantaged areas, Jenovic launched Next Chapter Jozi. This youth-led literacy and STEM initiative brings students together to support under-resourced primary schools in inner-city Johannesburg through book donations, reading mentorship, and educational programming.
“Next Chapter Jozi started because I kept thinking about how many children grow up with potential but not enough access to books, support, or opportunities. I wanted to build something practical. Something that does not just talk about inequality, but responds to it in a real way,” Jenovic explains.
Through book collection drives, school partnerships, and planned literacy and STEM sessions, Next Chapter Jozi aims to help more children access the educational resources and support they need to grow as confident readers, learners, and future leaders.
The organisation’s work is built on a simple belief: a child’s access to books and learning opportunities should not depend on the school they attend or the area they grow up in.
To date, the initiative has collected approximately 2,500 children’s books from schools, families, and community donors to support primary schools in Berea, Hillbrow, Yeoville, and surrounding areas. Building on this momentum, Next Chapter Jozi is currently preparing to donate an additional 1,500 books to Berea Primary School on 27 July.
Jenovic and his team are also developing STEM-based learning activities for primary school learners and encourage young people to become active contributors to education in their communities.
“Our goal is to help learners see that their story can go beyond their circumstances,” shares the inspiring changemaker.
To learn more about this incredible initiative or help more children access books, learning opportunities, and the confidence to imagine a bigger future, email [email protected]
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