Introduction
Being able to read and write is about more than schoolwork. Literacy is the key that unlocks opportunity, dignity, and hope. Without it, children and adults are left on the margins — unable to reach their potential, find decent work, or contribute fully to society.
In South Africa, illiteracy is holding back not only individuals but whole communities. The effects reach far beyond the classroom — influencing families, health, the economy, and even democracy itself.
Pictured above: A teacher at a Starfish-supported preschool reads with and alongside children, which is essential for building a child's literacy skills.
Understanding Illiteracy in South Africa
According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2021), a shocking 81% of Grade 4 learners are unable to read for meaning by the age of 10 (University of Pretoria, 2023). That’s nearly 914,000 of the 1.13 million children assessed in 2021 who could not understand what they were reading (Nic Spaull, 2023).
The South African Human Rights Commission (2023) warns that this literacy crisis undermines children’s futures and threatens the country’s development. COVID-19 school closures exacerbated the situation, erasing nearly a decade of progress. Literacy levels have now returned to their 2011 levels (Viewfinder, 2023).
Illiteracy is not just about struggling with words on a page. It is a social issue that traps families in cycles of poverty, weakens communities, and denies children the chance to dream of a better life.
Illiteracy refers to the inability to read or write with understanding at a level that enables an individual to function effectively in society. In South Africa, the situation is deeply concerning.
How Illiteracy Affects Communities
Illiteracy has a ripple effect across every part of life:
Economic Exclusion
Without reading and writing skills, people often find themselves stuck in low-paying jobs and struggle to adapt to a changing workplace. This limits household income and holds back community growth.
Poor Health Outcomes
Literacy is essential for health. People who cannot read instructions or health information are more vulnerable to illness and less able to access services.
Weak Civic Participation
Democracy depends on informed citizens. Illiteracy makes it harder for people to understand policies, vote with confidence, or advocate for their rights.
Intergenerational Cycles
Illiteracy is often passed down. Parents who cannot read struggle to support their children’s education, meaning the cycle of disadvantage continues.
Illiteracy and Community Development
Communities cannot thrive without literacy. Education builds skills, drives innovation, and strengthens social ties. Illiteracy, on the other hand, weakens development by:
Shrinking the pool of skilled workers.
Deepening inequality.
Limiting creativity and innovation.
Increasing dependency on outside help.
For South Africa to grow stronger, literacy must be seen as a basic human right and a shared responsibility.
Pictured above: Children in their preschool classrooms, engaged in reading and writing.
The Starfish Response
At Starfish Greathearts Foundation, we believe change starts early. Through our partners, we provide children with access to storybooks, toy libraries, and play-based learning experiences that spark a love for reading.
We also support and train Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners and parents, providing them with the tools to make learning both fun and effective. By nurturing a culture of reading, we help children develop confidence and skills that will carry them into a brighter future.
Conclusion
Illiteracy is one of the greatest barriers to South Africa’s development. It limits education, jobs, health, and even democracy. However, when children learn to read, everything changes — not just for them, but for their families and communities as well.
Through the work of Starfish Greathearts Foundation and our donors and partners, children are given the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.
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