The Nkosinathi literacy project: Kwazulu Natal,South Africa

Abstract

The Nkosinathi literacy project is an adult literacy programme currently conducted in the rural community of Cramond in the KwaZulu Natal Midland, South Africa. The aims of the project are to improve literacy and thinking skills of community members to help them engage more assertively in community affairs (Evans, 1999). The significance of this project in terms of development theory is the way in which the project is facilitated and how this project fits into the larger framework of society. For the purpose of this paper I will look at this development project on three levels. The first level, the micro level, is the literacy project itself and the way in which classes are facilitated. This includes the methods and tools of learning and the general philosophy of the project. Secondly I will look at the meso level. This level is how the literacy project fits into the greater Nkosinathi Community Programme. Finally I will look at the macro level which is how the literacy project and its participants function in the broader fabric of society.