Rider recently announced that she would use the R100000 she received from cellular network MTN to help a charity of her choice create libraries and media centres in Kwa-Thema, southeast of Springs in Gauteng, and Chatsworth in Durban.
She was selected as a Y'ello Rose last year by the cellphone company for being an influential radio personality.
Her announcement was made at a film-screening that brought together 64 people in a celebration of Durban Indians who have done well in Joburg.
Each of those attending were asked to take along a book, which would help kick-start the project.
Rider is collaborating with Johannesburg women's organisation Agang Sechaba and the Chatsworth Community Youth Centre.
She chose to invest the money in libraries and media centres because education helped her achieve success in her own life.
"2012 is my year of giving back, it really is. I grew up in Durban and the one thing my family always gave me was education."
Rider said the projects would serve as a legacy for her daughter. She and the organisations she is working with are currently looking for sponsors of shipping containers in which they can set up the libraries.
They are also looking into opening mobile libraries that can service more than one community.
She and her husband, Leigh, have also used money from Pavani's savings account to buy some books for the libraries.
"I want to start her young. We've been buying Pavani books, some of which she's outgrown, so we're donating those on her behalf as well. We want the libraries to have a piece of her so that when she reaches the age of about 10, she'll have learnt to give back herself."
Agang Sechaba trustee and founding member Nomsa Ntshingila said Rider was "very passionate" about various projects, including a feeding scheme, but wanted to use the R100 000 for a long-lasting legacy.
"When we were brainstorming, we came up with the idea of a library because we thought that a library and books are long-lasting. Generations and generations of people can use the books, if they are well-managed," said Sechaba.
Naufal Khan, Rider's friend, said the initiative had received huge support from Twitter users who pledged to donate books.
"In just two days, there were about 1000 books pledged," said Khan. He said if the pledges continued at the same rate "by the time the library opens, we will have a fully-fledged library".
Readers who want to donate books can e-mail Rider at sureshnie@gmail.com.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 