Community empowerment through enhanced literacy

Further community mobilisation

Local and district stakeholders were identified and incorporated into projects wherever possible. With District Councillors on board, wards and lesser social components tended to fall into line more easily. There was then a uniform understanding of processes. Churches such as the Shembe and those affiliated to the South African Council of Churches were also significant role-players. Many people were drawn to these programmes very strongly if the churches supported them. The fact that a facilitator could recruit twenty people for literacy programmes was powerful evidence that they enjoyed credibility, especially in the church community. In a sense, learners then comprise an informal ‘community appointments sub-committee’.