We have a collective responsibility to nurture, protect and raise the next generation of leaders in our society. Among the many rights children hold, the right to quality education remains one of the most critical – and the most closely tied to their future well-being.
South Africa’s literacy challenges remain a deep concern. Recently, the Department of Basic Education’s Funda Uphumelele National Survey revealed that only 3 out of 10 learners in the foundation phase are reading at the expected level for their age. Even more alarming, the study found that up to 70% of learners in Grade 1 to 3 struggle to recognise letters or read words quickly enough to understand them. This not only becomes an academic hindrance but transcends into long-term struggles with confidence levels, comprehension challenges and educational outcomes.
The report points toward a powerful solution: Children who are taught and supported in their home languages consistently perform academically better than those who are not. When children learn in a language they already speak and understand, they are able to build strong literacy foundations, comprehend content more effectively, and transition more confidently into additional languages like English later on.
In South Africa, where multilingualism is a national strength, the integration of home-language literacy into early education is not just beneficial – it is essential.
One of the organisations helping bring this vision to life is TAQA, a South African edtech startup dedicated to improving childhood literacy. TAQA creates children’s videobooks in all 11 official languages: blending audio, illustrations and text to make reading accessible, engaging and culturally meaningful. Through this approach, TAQA is bridging the gap for children who do not have access to physical libraries or diverse reading materials.
“The message is simple yet significant: Every child deserves the chance to read, learn and dream in a language that feels like home,” says Qhawe Bula, CEO of TAQA. “Home-language reading is not only a pathway to academic success; it is a gift that shapes identity, belonging and imagination.”
Visit TAQA’s eLibrary and get a children’s videobook in your home language. Take advantage of the Black Friday discounts on children’s books.
