As we celebrate Women’s Month, South Africa recognises trailblazers who are reshaping communities through their leadership and vision. Among them is Sibhekaphi Sibanda, Project Manager at READ Educational Trust. Her inspiring journey, from a rural village with limited access to educational resources to becoming a dedicated advocate for literacy and education, is a powerful reminder of the impact that women can have on society.

Sibhekaphi remembers how, in her early years, she saw many gifted women in her community being held back because they could not read or write. That experience lit a fire in her heart. “I saw incredible talent not being optimally utilised because women were denied the simple gift of literacy,” she says. “That is when I knew that my purpose was to change this reality and open doors of opportunity for others.”

Today, she stands at the forefront of READ’s mission to tackle one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges: the literacy crisis. Despite technological advances and broader access to resources, thousands of children still struggle to read for meaning, a situation that impacts education, employment, and the country’s economic future.

“We are literally in a crisis,” Sibhekaphi stresses. “Children struggle to read for meaning, which is confusing given the number of resources available, even online. Literacy is the foundation of all learning. Without it, young people cannot thrive.”

Sibhekaphi’s journey with READ began in 2012 as a trainer supporting ten schools in Mpumalanga. Though she was still new to facilitation, her 12 years of teaching experience helped her quickly embrace READ’s community-focused approach. Her work on READ’s flagship literacy programme, called Rally to Read, stands out as a highlight in her career. She says: “It has been incredible. I have seen READ’s work transform lives in many disadvantaged communities. The ability for learners and teachers to access resources, as well as the positive feedback received from communities, has been deeply rewarding.”

Yet the road has not been without challenges, particularly in convincing donors to prioritise literacy in a country with many urgent social needs. “Convincing donors to invest in literacy projects, and proving to them that there is a need for such support, has been tough,” she explains. “But persistence, evidence-based advocacy and showing the impact of our work have helped us overcome this.” For her, investment in literacy is not only a social responsibility but a national priority, because it will open doors to employment, innovation and economic growth – and thereby benefitting every South African.

For Sibhekaphi, women are central to building a culture of reading because, as she puts it, “teaching starts from the hospital: from the moment a child is born, through the spaces in the home like the bedroom and the kitchen.” At READ, she has driven community training programmes that have helped parents and caregivers to show children the joy of reading, knowing that little ones copy what they see. With the right reading resources, welcoming spaces and families making reading part of everyday life, literacy can grow from birth. For her, the message is simple: literacy is not only the job of schools, but it begins at home, it must be supported by communities and backed by the whole country.

Sibhekaphi’s story is one of resilience and advocacy, grounded in her belief that every child deserves the chance to read, dream and succeed. As she reminds us: “We need to improve access to reading resources, train communities on how to use them effectively and never get  tired of reminding the nation about the power of reading.”

Her journey, which is rightfully celebrated as we come to the end of Women’s Month, is a powerful reminder that literacy is not just a skill but the cornerstone of empowerment. It is the key to freedom, opportunity and a brighter future for all South Africans.