Literacy crisis demands coordinated push for Mother tongue education, says Nal’ibali chief

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Nal’ibali Executive Director Lorato Trok urged coordinated efforts across sectors at the Sandton Literacy Dialogue to prioritise mother tongue education as key to resolving South Africa’s literacy crisis.

Trok emphasised that meaningful literacy development begins in the language a child knows best.

She urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and actively invest in the development, publishing, and distribution of quality reading materials in indigenous languages.

“Mother tongue education is not optional — it is foundational. If we are serious about improving literacy outcomes, we must be serious about strengthening African languages in our schools, homes and communities,” she said.

The Leadership in Literacy Dialogue spotlighted the urgent need to expand access to books in African languages, reinforcing the importance of ensuring children can read for enjoyment and meaning in the languages they know best.

Keynote speaker Kulula Manona, Chief Director for… pic.twitter.com/GSkeiw1BVi

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She further raised concern about the survival of vulnerable indigenous languages such as N|uu, warning that without deliberate preservation and promotion efforts, some of South Africa’s oldest languages risk disappearing entirely.

Trok urged various stakeholders—government departments, publishers, corporations, donors, educators, and community leaders—to join forces to significantly boost book creation in indigenous languages.

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“This collaboration should focus on actively supporting African language authors and illustrators, integrating early education in mother tongues, and securing funding for vital language preservation initiatives.

Investments focused on Mother tongue

“Language carries identity, culture and heritage. When a language disappears, we lose more
than words — we lose history and knowledge systems,” she added.

Stakeholders committed to boosting partnerships and investments focused on maternal-tongue education for literacy development and language preservation in South Africa.