Gauteng Department of Education continues with their MOU with Nal’ibali

Monday, 11 August 2025, South Africa – In a significant move to prioritise early childhood literacy, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has decided to reinstate its partnership with Nal’ibali, one of the leading nonprofit organisations focused on reading for early childhood development.

After a brief period of uncertainty, the GDE has now reaffirmed its commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nal’ibali, ensuring the continuation of the organisation’s impactful work in Gauteng schools.

“We are thrilled that the Gauteng Department of Education has recognised the critical importance of supporting early childhood literacy through our partnership,” said Lorato Trok, the Executive Director of Nal’ibali. “This decision demonstrates a shared understanding that investing in children’s reading journeys is essential for their overall development and academic success.”

Nal’ibali’s mission is to create a widespread culture of reading that inspires and empowers children across South Africa. Through its multilingual reading for enjoyment campaign and network of reading clubs, the organisation has been instrumental in fostering a love of reading and improving literacy outcomes in underserved communities.

“Reading is the foundation for all learning, and we believe that every child deserves access to engaging, age-appropriate reading materials and support,” added Lorato. “By working alongside the Gauteng Department of Education, we can reach more children and make a lasting impact on their educational trajectories.”

The reinstated partnership will allow Nal’ibali to continue its work in Gauteng schools, providing school reading clubs, teacher training, reading supplements distribution and resources to encourage a culture of reading. The organisation will also collaborate with the GDE to develop and implement tailored literacy interventions that address the unique needs of the province’s diverse learner population.

“We are grateful for the GDE’s renewed commitment to this partnership and look forward to building on the progress we’ve made in supporting early childhood literacy,” said Lorato. “Together, we can ensure that every child in Gauteng has the opportunity to develop the foundational reading skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.”