According to an international study most children leave Grade 1 without knowing the alphabet, while just over 80% of Grade 4 children cannot read for meaning.

The report warns that if South Africa maintains the pre-pandemic improvement trajectory, it will take 86 years for the learners at Grade 4 level to reach a point where 95% of them can read for meaning. That would be in the year 2108.

Prime Talk explores South Africa’s literacy crisis and how South Africa can turn the tide?

Guest: Elinor Sisulu – founder and executive director, Puku Children’s Literature Foundation