The third episode of “Decisions We Make” tackles the critical issue of illiteracy plaguing communities worldwide. Shedding light on the challenges faced by those with limited literacy skills, we explore the consequences of societal decisions that perpetuate this crisis and discuss potential solutions, emphasizing the transformative power of education and inclusivity.

Illiteracy creates exclusion in all aspects of society, and it comes at a high cost. Illiteracy was expected to cost South Africa R450 billion per year in 2010. Poor quality education stands out as the factor requiring the most immediate policy attention in order to maintain and enhance South Africa’s economic progress.

There is no doubting that South Africa suffers from a skills shortage and an unemployment problem and that the only solution to boost South Africans’ employability is through appropriate education and literacy. In 2019, 4.4 million South Africans were estimated to be illiterate or unable to read. Despite developments over the last ten years, this figure remains troubling.