On World Literacy Day, South Africa wakes up to a story worth celebrating, a story of persistence, imagination and community power. Nal’ibali, the organisation that has spent more than a decade placing stories into the hands and hearts of children, has received LITASA’s highest honour, the Significant Contribution to Literacy Award. It is a moment that feels both historic and deeply deserved.
A Milestone Rooted in Everyday Magic
The award, presented yesterday at the 21st Annual LITASA Conference in Johannesburg, was more than a formal recognition. Delegates rose to their feet, singing along to the Nal’ibali jingle, a reminder that literacy is not only about books and classrooms, but about joy, belonging and shared cultural memory.
For an organisation built on the simple but transformative idea that stories change lives, this was a moment of affirmation.
Etienne Bramley, Nal’ibali’s Head of Impact, Partnerships and Programmes, captured the spirit of the occasion:
“Literacy is not the responsibility of one organisation or sector. It requires all of us.”
His words echo a truth South Africa confronts daily — that literacy is a collective project, and that progress depends on partnerships, persistence and imagination.
Why This Award Matters Now
Nal’ibali’s recognition arrives at a critical time. South Africa continues to face deep literacy challenges:
too many children reach Grade 4 unable to read for meaning
too few homes have access to books
too many languages remain underserved in early reading resources
Nal’ibali has responded not with grand speeches, but with consistent, community‑rooted action:
story clubs in townships and rural villages
multilingual reading supplements
training for caregivers, teachers and volunteers
partnerships with schools, libraries, civil society and government
a national movement that treats reading for enjoyment as a right, not a luxury
This award recognises not only what Nal’ibali has done, but how it has done it, through collaboration, cultural relevance and a belief that children thrive when stories reflect their languages, identities and worlds.
A Forward Look: The Work Ahead
World Literacy Day is not only a celebration; it is a reminder of the road still to travel.
Nal’ibali’s next chapter will demand:
Scaling access to books and stories in all South African languages
Strengthening community reading ecosystems — from homes to libraries to digital platforms
Deepening partnerships with government, educators and civil society
Innovating for a digital generation, ensuring that technology expands access rather than deepens inequality
Championing reading for enjoyment as a national priority, not an optional enrichment activity
The award underscores that Nal’ibali is not simply an organisation — it is a movement. And movements grow, adapt and push forward.
A Literacy Day Message for South Africa
As the country marks Literacy Month and Heritage Month, Nal’ibali’s achievement reminds us that reading is more than a skill. It is a cultural inheritance, a bridge between languages, a foundation for identity and imagination.
On this World Literacy Day, Nal’ibali stands as proof that when communities rally around stories, children gain more than literacy — they gain confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Today, we celebrate Nal’ibali’s impact. Tomorrow, we continue the work.
Honouring the Past. Empowering the Present
In a message, Shuter & Shooter Publishers (Pty) Ltd, said literacy is more than the ability to read and write. It is the ability to learn, to understand, to express, to imagine and to participate in the world around us.
For Shuters, this journey is deeply rooted in our history.
From humble beginnings as a bookstore in Pietermaritzburg, the story evolved into a publishing legacy that, from the 1930s, saw us producing IsiZulu novels, poetry and textbooks. Over the decades, that commitment grew into producing quality literature and educational materials across South Africa’s official languages.
Today, that legacy continues.
From textbooks and Workbooks to Core Readers, Graded Readers, Phonics Reading Schemes, eBooks and digital learning resources, we continue to support our learners, educators, parents and communities on their journey towards knowledge.
And tomorrow?
We envision a future where every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of reading and literacy continues to empower individuals to shape a better South Africa.
“Because when we invest in literacy, we invest in people. When we nurture readers, we nurture thinkers. And when we empower learners, we empower a nation,” the statement said.
In a message, Macmillan Education South Africa, said
“Literacy empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities for a brighter future. This International Literacy Day, we celebrate the power of reading to shape minds, spark curiosity, and help communities thrive.”
©Higher Education Media Services.