The DBE, in partnership with Book Dash and UNICEF, hosted a three-day training session on Emergent Literacy and Language (ELL) at the Garden Court Hotel, OR Tambo from 27 to 29 October 2025. The workshop brought together educators, literacy specialists, and partners from across South Africa to strengthen foundational learning practices and deepen understanding of early language development.

The workshop opened with remarks from Ms Kulula Manona, Chief Director for Foundations of Learning, who reminded participants that literacy begins long before a child enters school. She explained that children’s earliest experiences, such as being spoken to, listened to, and read to, form the building blocks for reading and writing. Ms Manona emphasised the crucial role of parents and caregivers in nurturing ELL at home, encouraging educators to work hand in hand with families to support early learning from infancy. She also unveiled a collection of fifty multilingual children’s books developed through the DBE’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) strategy to promote linguistic diversity, inclusion, and cultural representation across all provinces.

Over the following days, participants engaged in a range of interactive and hands-on sessions that demonstrated how language develops naturally through play, rhymes, songs, and conversation. Educators explored strategies for creating language-rich environments that spark curiosity and imagination whilst supporting early drawing, mark-making, and recognition of print in everyday surroundings. A highlight of the workshop was the book-making session, where participants designed their own storybooks using newly acquired creative skills. Some focused on tactile books for children with visual impairments, while others produced stories reflecting multilingual and multicultural realities. Many of the books celebrated the daily experiences of children in rural and farming communities, bringing authenticity and pride to their stories.

Midway through the workshop, Ms Ivy Rapoo, Acting Director for Early Childhood Development at the DBE, delivered a thought-provoking address on the need for renewed literacy strategies for children aged zero to five. She highlighted that the foundation phase often receives attention only at Grade R, whilst the earlier years remain under-supported. “We must go back and focus on the zero to five age group; that is where language begins to take shape through interaction, stories, love, and attention.” Ms Rapoo also urged educators to adopt developmentally appropriate practices and to advocate for equal access to quality early learning opportunities, particularly in under-resourced and rural areas.

Guided by the Stories for Joy initiative, participants also explored book selection and development, focusing on locally produced, culturally relevant, and age-appropriate reading materials. These sessions underscored the importance of using literature that fosters reading for pleasure, strengthens learner identity, and reflects South Africa’s linguistic diversity. Educators were encouraged to serve as advocates for inclusive literacy practices that recognise every child’s right to access meaningful and engaging learning materials.

Ms Christina Banyini, Deputy Director for Inclusive Education, reaffirmed the importance of inclusivity, noting that literacy takes many forms, spoken, gestural, or tactile, and that educators must recognise each child’s unique way of communicating: “Every child has a story to tell. Our task is to ensure all children can participate meaningfully and joyfully in literacy experiences.” The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to advance early literacy across South Africa, one story, one song, and one conversation at a time.