Why World Read Aloud Day matters in South Africa

World Read Aloud Day, celebrated every February, is more than a global literacy moment, it’s a reminder of the power of stories read together. Founded in 2010 by international literacy organisation Lit World, the day encourages people across the world to read aloud with children, reinforcing reading as joyful, communal and accessible.

In South Africa, this call matters deeply. Many children in the foundation phase are still unable to read for meaning, a challenge that affects learning outcomes well beyond the early years. Reading aloud helps bridge this gap by building comprehension, language development and confidence, while also making reading something children want to do.

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Here are five meaningful ways to celebrate World Read Aloud Day, whether you’re a parent, teacher, creator or community member.

Join Nal’ibali’s world read aloud day campaign

One of the most impactful ways to participate is by joining Nal’ibali, South Africa’s leading children’s literacy organisation. Nal’ibali has spent years advocating for reading for pleasure, believing that a love for stories is the foundation of strong literacy.

Every World Read Aloud Day, Nal’ibali pledges to reach over a million children( this year they aim at 3 million) across the country by mobilising schools, families and communities to read aloud on the day. You can take part by registering, accessing free multilingual stories, or simply committing to read with a child, at home, at school or in your community.

Go live and read on your platform

If you have a social media platform, use it. Going live to read a story or poem even for 10 minutes, helps normalise reading and shows children that stories belong everywhere, not just in classrooms.

Creators, parents, teachers and book lovers can read in their home language, tag World Read Aloud Day, and encourage others to join in. It’s a powerful way to reach children who may not always have access to books or reading role models.

Donate books you no longer use

Many homes have children’s books sitting on shelves, long outgrown or unused. World Read Aloud Day is the perfect moment to pass those stories on.

Donate gently used books to schools, crèches, community libraries or reading clubs. Prioritise age-appropriate books and, where possible, stories in local languages. One donated book can become a child’s first gateway into reading for pleasure.

Promote a local authors or storytellers

South Africa has a rich storytelling tradition and a growing number of authors writing stories that reflect local realities, languages and cultures.

Use the day to spotlight a local author, illustrator or storyteller, share their work, read their story aloud.

Create a read-aloud moment in your community

You don’t need a big event to make an impact. Set up a small read-aloud moment at school, after-care, church, clinic waiting area or community centre. Invite children to listen, ask questions and talk about the story.

These shared moments help children associate reading with warmth, attention and belonging, key ingredients in developing comprehension and a lifelong love of books.

World Read Aloud Day reminds us that literacy doesn’t start with exams or assessments. It starts with stories, voices and time spent together. In a country facing ongoing literacy challenges, every read-aloud moment counts, and everyone has something to contribute.