The City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services (CoJ LIS) has launched the fourth annual Mobireadathon Digital Reading Competition for high schools, a growing national initiative aimed at strengthening reading and digital literacy. The 2026 theme, Online Safety, places a strong focus on responsible and secure online engagement.
Mobireadathon is a flagship digital reading development programme that introduces high school learners to online reading platforms and the productive use of mobile devices for learning. Learners register on the City's eLearning website, www.cojelearning.org.za, where they can read or download stories and complete quizzes to test comprehension and engagement.
Winners are determined by the accuracy of quiz responses and the time taken to complete them. Beyond reading, learners gain practical digital skills, including online registration, completing digital forms and navigating technology-based learning platforms.
Hosted on the City Libraries' eLearning platform, the competition advances media and online safety literacy. Content is aligned with the Africa Online Safety campaign led by Joburg Libraries and includes AI-generated stories, African folklore and real-life accounts from senior citizens. This diverse mix broadens representation while promoting creativity and cultural relevance for learners across the country.
Competition Structure
Phase 1: Online Participation (9 February – 25 April 2026)
High school learners from all provinces are encouraged to register, read and represent their schools. Semi-finalists will be selected nationally, and the school with the highest number of participants will receive a provincial prize.
Phase 2: Grade 8 Finals (From 20 June 2026)
After 25 April, top-performing Grade 8 learners will receive new reading material in preparation for the finals. Host municipalities will confirm final dates and venues directly with participants.
The competition is supported by Pick n Pay School Club and Universal Knowledge Software, with additional sponsors invited to partner as the programme expands.
Since its 2022 pilot with just 55 participants, Mobireadathon has grown to 1 900 learners in 2024 and 2 900 in 2025. The initiative continues to attract schools from rural areas and other municipalities, demonstrating its impact on literacy development and digital inclusion.
For enquiries, email enquiries@cojelearning.org.za or jeffny@joburg.org.za, or visit your nearest local library.
Written by Ayanda Radebe
17/02/2026
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