bookly | Modjadji Books

This was by far my favourite project at VML. We created a mobile app on Mxit which bought free literacy to anyone with a basic feature phone. This really made a difference for South Africa,

In 2013 NATIVE VML developed a mobile reading and writing app with the goal of improving literacy in South Africa. We called it bookly. To launch the app, we spoke to South African book publisher Modjadji Books about launching their latest novel, Fiona Snyckers’ Team Trinity via bookly. The book launch was a success, with thousands of children logging on to read her latest novel.

The success of the app grew from here. Over 450 000 books have been added to user’s bookshelves, with over 1.1 million unique visitors. Our users have also written booklys (short stories) in all eleven official South African languages. The best of these young authors was awarded with their very own bookly Award to recognise their achievement. bookly has also won 13 awards locally and internationally.

Using the power of a basic cellphone, the bookly movement aims to improve literacy, one cellphone at a time.