Room to Read South Africa

12/10/2026

08/10/2026

In Memoriam

Assinah Matlhodi Vilakazi

24 June 1967 – 27 September 2026

Matlhodi Vilakazi was a trusted colleague and Senior Literacy Coach who served the schools where she worked with distinction and dedication.

She joined Room to Read in 2015 and worked across Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng during her 12 years with the organisation. Matlhodi promoted literacy with vigour and was deeply committed to supporting children’s learning and development. She took immense joy and pride in helping children discover the joy of reading – a steppingstone towards achieving their full potential.

Matlhodi understood the critical role teachers play in teaching children to read and write. She coached and supported teachers tirelessly to ensure that the learners we serve could experience the magic of reading. One of the teachers she coached, Ms. Kedibone Jane Manamela, recently gave a presentation at the Literacy Association of South Africa’s 21st Annual Conference. Ms. Manamela credited Matlhodi’s coaching and mentorship as one of the reasons her school now has a functioning library.

Matlhodi also shared her mission of getting children reading with those who experienced prolonged stays in hospital due to illness. Learners in her church were not left behind either; she was determined that they, too, should experience the magic and joy of reading.

Assinah Matlhodi Vilakazi, we applaud you for your sterling work and for the remarkable difference you made in the lives of all those who had the privilege of working with you and learning from you.

These words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, from A Psalm of Life, come to mind when we think of you:

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.”

Your footprints remain – in the teachers you inspired, the children whose lives you touched, and the love of reading you helped nurture.

05/10/2026

Today we celebrate and appreciate our amazing teachers for their dedication, patience, and commitment to shaping young minds and inspiring future generations.

Thank you for all that you do! 💐❤️

18/09/2026

There’s something special about reading a story in your mother tongue!

As part of our Literacy Month activities, a learner is enjoying Pig’s Wedding, a story originally written in Sepedi by Makotla Mudau. 🐷💍📖

Pig’s Wedding is one of 20 African-language storybooks created by South African authors for early-grade learners in Grades R to 3. Each story was originally written in Sepedi, siSwati, Xitsonga, Tshivenda or isiZulu, and is available in these languages as well as English, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Sesotho and Setswana. 🌍📚

Even better – these books are free to download, share and distribute, making it easier for children, families, schools and communities to access stories that are exciting, relevant and meaningful.

Find the books at One Day One Book: https://onedayonebook.org/ 📖✨

The collection was developed by Room to Read, Electric Book Works and African Storybook, with support from REACH, the World Bank, the Global Book Alliance and the Department of Basic Education South Africa.

The joy of reading also means creating opportunities for authors, illustrators, editors, designers and publishers to bring engaging, relevant stories to young readers.

18/09/2026

📚✨ Celebrating the joy and power of reading!

Throughout Literacy Month, our project schools are creating exciting opportunities for learners to read, share stories, explore new worlds and discover the magic of books. 🌍📖

Learners, educators, parents and members of the broader community are coming together to nurture a culture of reading — one story, one page and one book at a time. ❤️

Reading opens doors. It builds confidence, strengthens literacy skills and helps learners imagine new possibilities for their futures. 🌱✨

Together, we’re making room to read and helping every learner unlock the opportunities that literacy can bring.

📖 Read. Imagine. Discover. Grow.

18/09/2026

📚✨ Celebrating the joy and power of reading!

Throughout Literacy Month, our project schools are creating exciting opportunities for learners to read, share stories, explore new worlds and discover the magic of books. 🌍📖

Learners, educators, parents and members of the broader community are coming together to nurture a culture of reading — one story, one page and one book at a time. ❤️

Reading opens doors. It builds confidence, strengthens literacy skills and helps learners imagine new possibilities for their futures. 🌱✨
Together, we’re making room to read and helping every learner unlock the opportunities that literacy can bring.

📖 Read. Imagine. Discover. Grow.

10/09/2026

Foundation Phase Collaboration Symposium in Mpumalanga

The Mpumalanga Department of Education, together with stakeholders from across the education ecosystem in Mpumalanga, gathered for the Foundation Phase Collaboration Symposium to connect, share their work, and explore opportunities for collaboration to strengthen learning outcomes in the Foundation Phase.

Room to Read, together with fellow NGOs including Penreach, ClassAct, ClickLearning, Thebe Foundation, READ, New Leaders Foundation, Uplands Outreach, RedInk, and NASCEE, exhibited a range of materials and resources supporting Foundation Phase literacy and numeracy.

Ms. Lucy Moyane, Head of Department at the Mpumalanga Department of Education, emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that the Foundation Phase is significantly strengthened. Ms. Moyane also encouraged educators to continuously engage in professional development, highlighting that pedagogy is constantly evolving and educators need to continually update and strengthen their teaching practices.

The symposium provided a valuable platform for organisations to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and identify opportunities to collaborate more effectively to improve Foundation Phase outcomes and reach more learners.

The event was organised by the Thungela Education Initiative and the Federer Foundation, and hosted at the Shalamuka STEAM Centre.

09/09/2026

😍😍😍

09/09/2026

Room to Read joined the Department of Basic Education, led by Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule, and officials from the Mpumalanga Department of Education to celebrate International Literacy Day in Loding, Mpumalanga.

The celebration took place at Loding Primary School, bringing together learners from the host school and surrounding schools to recognise the importance of literacy and the joy of reading.

Room to Read Country Director, Ms. Vanessa Francis, delivered a message of support, alongside partner organisations including the NECT, Penreach and the National Library of South Africa.

However, the stars of the day were the learners. Learners from Loding Primary and surrounding schools read stories, performed poetry and presented a short play, all in their home languages. Their performances showcased not only their growing literacy skills, but also the richness of their languages, cultures and creativity.

International Literacy Day falls during a month dedicated to celebrating South Africa’s rich heritage. The event highlighted the importance of reading, storytelling and learning in home languages, while giving learners an opportunity to share their stories and culture with attendees.

The celebration was a wonderful reminder of the role literacy plays in empowering learners, preserving culture and strengthening communities.

08/09/2026

Every child deserves the joy of reading — in every language.

Today, as we celebrate International Literacy Day, this young reader reminds us of the power of language, books and opportunity.

Reading in one’s mother tongue is more than learning words. It is celebrating identity, culture and belonging — while opening doors to knowledge, confidence and possibility.

Our teachers and teacher-librarians play a vital role in making this possible: nurturing readers, connecting children with books and creating spaces where curiosity can flourish.

Inspired by this year’s theme, “Literacy for the people, the planet and prosperity,” let us keep putting books into children’s hands and empowering every child to read, learn and shape a better tomorrow.

Read. Learn. Grow. Thrive.