By: Natasha Archary

Livhuwani Malelelo, a young girl from Johannesburg has become the Youth Ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation.
The 22-year old will serve as a local advocate, aiming to increase education and community awareness about the importance of reading and writing to lift literacy rates in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Livhuwani is a human rights activist pursuing a law degree and has a deep passion for reading, mainly African literature, which she believes is a crucial part of the decolonization process for the African community.
The young ambassador is committed to addressing literacy issues in Africa by promoting the importance of reading in native languages, not just secondary languages.
Livhuwani became the ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation by registering for a four-month online training program which will equip her with the tools in communication, fundraising, leadership, and advocacy.
Livhuwani believes that high illiteracy rates contribute to various social issues in Africa, such as unemployment, crime, and other social injustices. She argues that these issues perpetuate the false narrative of Africa as “the scum of the world.” Through her advocacy work, she aims to change this perception by promoting literacy and the opportunities it provides.
The World Literacy Foundation is a leading international literacy nonprofit and a beacon of hope in the fight against illiteracy. With a mission to eradicate illiteracy by 2024, the foundation is tackling a global issue that affects millions.
Currently, 770 million people can’t read a single word, and a further 2 billion people struggle to read a sentence. In low-income homes, on average, 72% of children struggle to read. The impact of illiteracy can be lifelong, with social and economic consequences for young people. This is the urgency and importance of the World Literacy Foundation’s mission, and Ahmed’s role as a Youth Ambassador is a significant step towards achieving it.
As a Youth Ambassador, she will be able to develop leadership skills and highlight literacy issues to the broader community.
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