09-06-2025
Literacy revolution took root under a tree
'One girl who couldn't read at all before, can now read comfortably in front of a class.
'Others who used to rank at the bottom are now in the top 10 in their grades. When we heard one of our kids was shortlisted for Oprah's school, we were so proud,' she said.
Lephale dreams of expanding their offering, including introducing speech development and vocational training.
'I want to get sewing machines and create a space where children can dream bigger.
'This library is more than a building,' she said.
'It's about restoring dignity, building confidence and changing lives.'
This special report into the state of literacy, a collaborative effort by The Herald, Sowetan and Daily Dispatch, was made possible by the Henry Nxumalo Foundation
