Room to Read South Africa

18/08/2026

We recently conducted Grade 6 Co-Educational Life Skills training in the Capricorn North District, Limpopo. The training equipped educators and department heads from selected schools to deliver contextualised Room to Read Life Skills sessions aligned with the Grade 6 curriculum.

The training strengthens the delivery of Life Skills by equipping educators with facilitation techniques that encourage meaningful learner participation, reflection and engagement. While learners may already encounter important topics through the curriculum, the programme creates opportunities for them to connect lessons to their everyday experiences, explore different perspectives and actively participate in their own learning journey.

It was led by Zamaradi Islahi, Global Gender Equality Programme Director, and Onthatile Mokoena, Gender Equality Programme Manager for South Africa, with support from Khomotso Thosago, Senior Literacy Officer, and Gabogaisane Sikhipa, Program Operations Manager.

13/08/2026

This week, our Mpumalanga project schools welcomed colleagues from our Regional and Global Offices for a support visit.

The bitterly cold weather couldn’t keep us away from the magic of seeing children learn to read! 📚✨ It was wonderful to spend time in schools, support teachers, and see literacy instruction in action.

Together, we’re helping more children build the skills and confidence they need to become lifelong readers.

12/08/2026

Gauteng schools are not left behind! A paired reading activity at one of our Gauteng project schools.

09/08/2026

04/08/2026

One of our project schools in the Western Cape didn't have a spare classroom that could be converted into a library. Instead, the school found a creative solution by partitioning the school hall—and the result is a beautiful, welcoming library!

This is a wonderful example of the creativity, commitment, and determination of the school staff. Where there is a will, there is a way! Take a look…

📚✨

29/07/2026

"Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life." Sydney Sheldon.

16/07/2026

Day 3: Deliver and Improve

The final day of the Literacy Promotion Toolkit workshop equipped Provincial Steering Committees and District Reading Collectives with the knowledge and practical tools to implement three flagship literacy programmes:

📚 Room to Read’s School Library Implementation Model
📖 Nal'ibali’s Reading Clubs and Reading Campaign Model
🏆 The National Spelling Bee Implementation Model

Participants also strengthened their skills to monitor implementation, measure success, and use data to improve literacy outcomes.

Year 1 implementation will begin in:
• Sarah Baartman (Eastern Cape)
• Fezile Dabi (Free State)
• Johannesburg West (Gauteng)
• uThukela and uMzinyathi (KwaZulu-Natal)
• Waterberg and Sekhukhune South (Limpopo)
• Nkangala (Mpumalanga)
• Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (North West)
• Pixley Ka Seme (Northern Cape)
• Eden and Central Karoo (Western Cape)

The Department of Basic Education South Africa, Room to Read, Nal'ibali, A Better Africa Foundation, National Education Collaboration Trust, The Learning Trust, Funda Wande, and Nascee look forward to the impact of year one.

15/07/2026

Day 2: Build – From Mobilisation to Momentum

The Literacy Promotion Collective spent Day 2 building District Reading Collectives (DRCs), strengthening Provincial DRC Implementation Roadmaps, and preparing for action.

Representatives from Provincial Education Departments, Provincial Steering Committees, District Reading Collectives, and partner NGOs were guided through the Success Ladder — a six-stage framework that helps districts move from mobilisation to a strong, self-sustaining literacy ecosystem.

The six stages are:

1) Blue: Mobilise stakeholders and build commitment;
2)Bronze: Establish governance structures and clarify roles;
3) Silver: Align priorities and develop implementation plans;
4) Gold: Strengthen partnerships and mobilise resources;
5) Platinum: Implement high-impact literacy programmes;
6) Diamond: Sustain progress through monitoring, coaching, and continuous improvement

Each stage produces key outcomes that support long-term success:

1) Stakeholder Register and Mobilisation Plan;
2) Approved DRC Charter;
3) District Literacy Profile;
4) Partnership Strategy;
5) Annual Literacy Programme; and
6) Sustainability Plan.

The day truly lived up to the theme “From Mobilisation to Momentum” as practical roadmaps for Year 1 implementation took shape across participating districts.

Together, the Department of Basic Education South Africa, Room to Read, Nal'ibali, A Better Africa Foundation, National Education Collaboration Trust, The Learning Trust, Funda Wande, and Nascee are strengthening collaboration and accelerating literacy development across South Africa.

15/07/2026

Day 1: Launch of the National Literacy Promotion Toolkit Initiative

Members of the Literacy Promotion Collective gathered in Johannesburg for the launch of the National Literacy Promotion Toolkit Initiative.

The Department of Basic Education South Africa, in partnership with Room to Read, Nal'ibali , A Better Africa Foundation , the National Education Collaboration Trust, The Learning Trust, Funda Wande, and Nascee officially launched the Toolkit under the theme: "From Plans to Implementation: Building a Reading Culture Together."

The launch, together with a three-day workshop, marks the official rollout of the Toolkit and advances Pillar Four of the National Reading Strategy, which focuses on promoting reading and fostering a culture of literacy across South Africa.

Representatives from Provincial Education Departments, Provincial Steering Committees, District Reading Collectives, and non-governmental organisations are participating in the workshop to strengthen implementation efforts and prepare for the rollout of the Toolkit across provinces and districts.

Room to Read's Library Programme, Nal'ibali's Reading Clubs and Reading Campaigns, and the National Spelling Bee are among the key literacy initiatives embedded in the Toolkit, reinforcing a collaborative approach to improving reading outcomes and cultivating a lifelong love of reading.