Abstract

This research evaluated the extent to which the long-term goals of the Kha Ri Gude (KRG) mass literacy campaign have been achieved by using the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as a benchmark. The literacy campaign, which arose from the Education for All (EFA) goals of the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was initiated to empower disadvantaged people to become self-reliant and participate more effectively in the economic activities of their communities. In this study, the achievements of the literacy campaign introduced in South Africa in 2008 (called Kha Ri Gude) are weighed up against the first five SDGs to find out if there was any policy cohesion, which is one of the tools for effective community development. This study forms part of an initiative by the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) and Youth Development Department of the University of South Africa (Unisa) to assess the implementation of the KRG mass literacy campaign in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo. Since the researcher did not form part of the Unisa team who visited these provinces, secondary sources (such as interview transcripts, journals, and a voice recorder) employed by Unisa’s ABET Department from 2013 to 2015 were used. A qualitative approach and purposeful sampling technique were used to source information-rich participants. The sample consisted of KRG graduates, voluntary educators, and coordinators of the KRG project. The study found that the program had a positive effect on participants and their communities. To some extent, it eradicated poverty, encouraged healthy living, and enhanced female empowerment. This is what the South African government aspires to achieve with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. However, funds are needed for start-ups to boost livelihoods and to ensure further development.