Reading is the foundation upon which all learning is built. In South Africa, where education remains one of the most powerful tools for social and economic transformation, cultivating a strong culture of reading is not simply desirable, it is essential. World Read Aloud Day (WRAD), celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of February, serves as a vital reminder that reading, especially when done aloud and in a child’s home language, lays the groundwork for lifelong learning and success.

Evidence from international and regional assessments paint a sobering picture of reading proficiency in South Africa, particularly in African home languages. Local assessments, including the South African Systemic Evaluations, echo these findings. These results point to deep-rooted challenges in both home and school environments and underline the urgent need for coordinated action to strengthen early literacy.

In response, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has taken decisive steps to address these challenges. Following provincial dialogues held in June 2023, and a national literacy conversation with key stakeholders, the DBE developed a comprehensive Literacy Strategy built on four pillars to guide and strengthen literacy efforts across the sector. Central to this strategy is the recognition that Government cannot act alone. Partnerships and collaboration are critical to building a sustainable culture of reading.

World Read Aloud Day has emerged as one of the most powerful platforms for mobilising this collective effort. Through partnerships with organisations such as Nal’ibali, the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and others, WRAD promotes reading for enjoyment, encourages parental involvement, and places home-language literacy at the centre of early learning. Initiatives such as the Read to Lead campaign further amplify this message, reinforcing the importance of reading every day, everywhere.

The 2026 WRAD theme, “My Story, My Language,” captures the heart of South Africa’s literacy journey. It affirms that language is central to identity, culture and learning, and that children learn best when they engage with stories in a language they understand. This year’s WRAD story, A New Friend, developed by the Sign Language Education and Development (SLED) team in partnership with Nal’ibali, marks a historic milestone as the first WRAD story created originally in South African Sign Language. This initiative sends a powerful message about inclusion and equity, ensuring that children living with disabilities are equally seen, heard and supported.

Minister Gwarube spent the day with Limpopo Education MEC, Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, to mark the day at Megoring Primary School in Megoring, Polokwane, where learners, educators, sector partners, and members of the local community came together in a collective celebration of reading and storytelling. “Firm foundations of learning are developed from the early years. A culture of reading will fundamentally change our education system’s trajectory forever. The seeds we plant today will bear fruit - children who are able to read for meaning and perform well in their gateway subjects. If children cannot read for meaning by the end of Grade 3, their chances of success later in school drop dramatically. That is why days like today matter, they reinforce a culture of reading not only in classrooms, but in homes and communities as well.” the Minister said.

Throughout February 2026, WRAD activities will extend beyond a single day, with read-aloud sessions, community engagements, digital story releases in all 11 official languages, and a national broadcast of the WRAD story on SABC radio stations. These efforts aim to reach millions of learners and to encourage reading as a daily habit. Ultimately, building a nation of readers is about more than improving test scores. Reading builds empathy, critical thinking, confidence and imagination. It allows children to understand themselves and the world around them, to dream beyond their circumstances, and to participate meaningfully in society. Through World Read Aloud Day and sustained collective action, the department continues to take important steps towards ensuring that every child can unlock the power of stories, in their own language, and on their own terms.