In line with the Department of Education’s Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education approach, Literacy Roots was founded on the belief that South Africa cannot meaningfully address unemployment, inequality and poor educational outcomes without first addressing literacy at its roots. Millions of children continue to learn in environments where language becomes a barrier rather than a bridge, limiting comprehension, confidence and long-term academic success from an early age. We believe that literacy is not simply about learning to read, but about creating access, dignity, opportunity and participation within society.

Through multilingual literacy resources, reading initiatives and educational partnerships, Literacy Roots works to make learning more inclusive, culturally relevant and accessible for South African children. Our work focuses on supporting foundational literacy in children’s home languages while equipping caregivers, educators and communities with tools that strengthen language development and learning outcomes. By investing in literacy early, particularly within underserved communities, we aim to contribute towards stronger educational foundations, improved long-term opportunities and a generation of children better equipped to participate meaningfully in the future economy.