Run Alex’s educational initiative, Read Alex, put primary school learners’ literacy and vocabulary on display during a spelling bee competition in Alexandra.

Building on a previous session that hosted about 54 learners from grades 2, 4, and 5, Read Alex brought together roughly 68 learners at Assemblies of God on August 29. The event focused on learners in grades three, six, and seven from across local schools.

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Having drawn over 100 learners combined across sessions, Read Alex Development secretary general Anelisa Mzimazi said participation has grown notably since the programme’s early stages, when as few as 30 children from only two grades took part. She said the growth underscores the initiative’s impact on local young people.

Addressing a national literacy crisis

The initiative aims to improve vocabulary, reading habits and public speaking skills, building on Read Alex’s existing weekend programmes., which take place at Kwabhekilanga Sports Grounds from 8am to 9am.

The work comes amid troubling national literacy statistics among foundation phase learners, particularly those in grades 1 to 3.

The Department of Basic Education’s Uphumelele National Survey found that only 30% of Grade 1 to Grade 3 learners read at grade level in their home language, while in some languages up to 25% of Grade 3 learners cannot read a single word, and 15% of those assessed scored zero. The figures were released in February this year.

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Mzimazi, who is also a teacher, said the spelling bee and weekend sessions tackle this gap head-on, noting that educators often find Grade 4 learners reading at a Grade 2 level.

Building confidence among learners

She said closing that gap is exactly what the programme has achieved. “The biggest growth has been confidence. Having to see a child that was shy and unable to read to other children, now able to do that, means they trust themselves now.”

She added that the issue in Alexandra has never been learners’ ability, but a lack of platforms to develop them and allow them to show what they can do. That is exactly what Read Alex is doing.

Run Alex chairperson Mokakatla Masekela said the organisation is proud of the programme’s growth. “The spelling bee is one of many activities that started from a one-hour allocated time of reading every weekend,” he said.

He praised volunteers and stakeholders for their support, and thanking schools and parents for backing the athletics club and its educational programme. “Parents’ participation is very important in our Junior Development programme,” he said.

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