What we are reading...

This report shows that over 80% of South African learners cannot read for meaning by Grade 3, and home language proficiency strongly predicts later success in additional languages and grade progression. While teacher reading competencies have improved, maths knowledge lags. Provincial assessments and programmes like the Western Cape’s Back-on-Track show promising effects, but systemic challenges—including budget constraints, unfunded mandates, teacher supply gaps, and weak national planning—continue to limit improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy.

This report shows that over 80% of South African learners cannot read for meaning by Grade 3, and home language proficiency strongly predicts later success in additional languages and grade progression. While teacher reading competencies have improved, maths knowledge lags. Provincial assessments and programmes like the Western Cape’s Back-on-Track show promising effects, but systemic challenges—including budget constraints, unfunded mandates, teacher supply gaps, and weak national planning—continue to limit improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy.

This is a research preprint reporting a South African neuroimaging study showing that children aged 6–7 born to mothers who were anaemic during pregnancy have persistently smaller brain volumes (corpus callosum and caudate nucleus) compared with those whose mothers were not anaemic. It highlights long‑term neurodevelopmental effects of antenatal anaemia.

This is a research preprint reporting a South African neuroimaging study showing that children aged 6–7 born to mothers who were anaemic during pregnancy have persistently smaller brain volumes (corpus callosum and caudate nucleus) compared with those whose mothers were not anaemic. It highlights long‑term neurodevelopmental effects of antenatal anaemia.

This systematic review examined the age at which congenital or early-onset hearing loss is identified in South Africa. Analysing 10 studies involving 1,501 children, the pooled mean age of diagnosis was 30 months far later than the recommended one month. The findings highlight significant delays in early detection and emphasise the urgent need to strengthen newborn hearing screening, address barriers to early identification, and implement evidence-based interventions to improve paediatric hearing outcomes.

This systematic review examined the age at which congenital or early-onset hearing loss is identified in South Africa. Analysing 10 studies involving 1,501 children, the pooled mean age of diagnosis was 30 months far later than the recommended one month. The findings highlight significant delays in early detection and emphasise the urgent need to strengthen newborn hearing screening, address barriers to early identification, and implement evidence-based interventions to improve paediatric hearing outcomes.

This is a study investigating how maternal and child anemia affects early brain development in South African children. Using brain imaging, the researchers found associations between anemia during pregnancy or early childhood and alterations in brain structure, suggesting potential long-term cognitive and neurodevelopmental impacts of early-life iron deficiency.

This is a study investigating how maternal and child anemia affects early brain development in South African children. Using brain imaging, the researchers found associations between anemia during pregnancy or early childhood and alterations in brain structure, suggesting potential long-term cognitive and neurodevelopmental impacts of early-life iron deficiency.

Micronutrients are vital for healthy growth and pregnancy, yet many women in low- and middle-income countries face deficiencies. Daily requirements rise during pregnancy, making prenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) essential for preventing deficiencies and promoting healthier maternal and fetal outcomes, now recognized by WHO as essential.

Micronutrients are vital for healthy growth and pregnancy, yet many women in low- and middle-income countries face deficiencies. Daily requirements rise during pregnancy, making prenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) essential for preventing deficiencies and promoting healthier maternal and fetal outcomes, now recognized by WHO as essential.

This study examines iron status, anemia prevalence and how these relate to birth outcomes in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in urban Bloemfontein, South Africa. Despite routine iron supplementation, anemia and iron deficiency remain common and are linked to poorer birth outcomes, underscoring the need to strengthen maternal nutritional care and monitoring during pregnancy.

This study examines iron status, anemia prevalence and how these relate to birth outcomes in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in urban Bloemfontein, South Africa. Despite routine iron supplementation, anemia and iron deficiency remain common and are linked to poorer birth outcomes, underscoring the need to strengthen maternal nutritional care and monitoring during pregnancy.

The First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study (2022) is a nationwide baseline survey across all provinces measuring the prevalence, patterns, and drivers of gender-based violence. It examines physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as perpetration, highlighting the role of gender norms and providing evidence to guide policy, prevention strategies, and monitoring of GBV interventions in South Africa

The First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study (2022) is a nationwide baseline survey across all provinces measuring the prevalence, patterns, and drivers of gender-based violence. It examines physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as perpetration, highlighting the role of gender norms and providing evidence to guide policy, prevention strategies, and monitoring of GBV interventions in South Africa

This framework outlines a multisectoral approach to accelerate global anaemia reduction, recognising anaemia’s complex causes beyond iron deficiency. It promotes comprehensive prevention, diagnosis and management strategies integrated into primary health care and broader social systems. The document calls for strengthened leadership, data use, cross-sector collaboration, and investment to improve outcomes, especially for women, adolescent girls and children in low- and middle-income countries

This framework outlines a multisectoral approach to accelerate global anaemia reduction, recognising anaemia’s complex causes beyond iron deficiency. It promotes comprehensive prevention, diagnosis and management strategies integrated into primary health care and broader social systems. The document calls for strengthened leadership, data use, cross-sector collaboration, and investment to improve outcomes, especially for women, adolescent girls and children in low- and middle-income countries

This official guideline sets out the desired standard of care for pregnant women and newborns in South Africa, offering evidence-based recommendations for antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. It supports clinicians to provide safe, respectful, integrated maternal and perinatal services adapted to local clinical settings.

This official guideline sets out the desired standard of care for pregnant women and newborns in South Africa, offering evidence-based recommendations for antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. It supports clinicians to provide safe, respectful, integrated maternal and perinatal services adapted to local clinical settings.

This is a UNICEF South Africa report using a pilot benchmarking tool to assess how well national policies support universal parenting. It reviews strengths and gaps in South Africa’s legislative, institutional and programmatic landscape, noting solid foundations but recommending stronger coordination, sustained funding, and integrated monitoring to scale parenting support.

This is a UNICEF South Africa report using a pilot benchmarking tool to assess how well national policies support universal parenting. It reviews strengths and gaps in South Africa’s legislative, institutional and programmatic landscape, noting solid foundations but recommending stronger coordination, sustained funding, and integrated monitoring to scale parenting support.

This UNICEF South Africa report provides a comprehensive overview of the living conditions of children and adolescents across key sectors like health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection. It highlights persistent vulnerabilities, deprivations and barriers faced by young people, including multidimensional poverty, health and education gaps, and unequal access to services, and serves as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to improve children’s rights and well‑being.

This UNICEF South Africa report provides a comprehensive overview of the living conditions of children and adolescents across key sectors like health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection. It highlights persistent vulnerabilities, deprivations and barriers faced by young people, including multidimensional poverty, health and education gaps, and unequal access to services, and serves as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to improve children’s rights and well‑being.

This is a policy brief showing that switching from iron and folic acid to multiple micronutrient supplements in pregnancy is highly cost‑effective in South Africa. It improves perinatal outcomes, including reduced low birthweight, preterm births, and stillbirths, while offering strong economic value and supporting evidence‑based policymaking.

This is a policy brief showing that switching from iron and folic acid to multiple micronutrient supplements in pregnancy is highly cost‑effective in South Africa. It improves perinatal outcomes, including reduced low birthweight, preterm births, and stillbirths, while offering strong economic value and supporting evidence‑based policymaking.

This article highlights the importance of adhering to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines in South Africa and promotes the Listening and Spoken Language–South Africa (LSL‑SA) approach for children with hearing impairment. It reviews evidence showing that LSL‑SA can lead to improved communication outcomes and faster progress compared with traditional therapy. The authors argue for culturally responsive, family‑centred early intervention and broader implementation to improve equitable access to services.

This article highlights the importance of adhering to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines in South Africa and promotes the Listening and Spoken Language–South Africa (LSL‑SA) approach for children with hearing impairment. It reviews evidence showing that LSL‑SA can lead to improved communication outcomes and faster progress compared with traditional therapy. The authors argue for culturally responsive, family‑centred early intervention and broader implementation to improve equitable access to services.

This is a UNICEF guidance document providing a framework for multi‑sectoral support to parents of children from pregnancy to age 8. It outlines strategies, entry points, and delivery platforms to strengthen parenting support across health, education, and social sectors, aiming to enhance child development and overall family well‑being in Europe and Central Asia.

This is a UNICEF guidance document providing a framework for multi‑sectoral support to parents of children from pregnancy to age 8. It outlines strategies, entry points, and delivery platforms to strengthen parenting support across health, education, and social sectors, aiming to enhance child development and overall family well‑being in Europe and Central Asia.

This study uses instrumental variable analysis with recent South African data to test whether the Child Support Grant (CSG) reduces childhood stunting. It finds that existing evidence on the grant’s positive effect on children’s height‑for‑age is robust to bias from unobserved factors. The authors emphasise continued evaluation of the CSG’s nutritional and long‑term development impacts.

This study uses instrumental variable analysis with recent South African data to test whether the Child Support Grant (CSG) reduces childhood stunting. It finds that existing evidence on the grant’s positive effect on children’s height‑for‑age is robust to bias from unobserved factors. The authors emphasise continued evaluation of the CSG’s nutritional and long‑term development impacts.

This resource answers common questions national decision‑makers have about introducing and scaling multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programmes for pregnant women. It explains practical considerations, evidence, policy issues and challenges countries face as they transition from iron‑folic acid to MMS in antenatal care. The FAQ aims to inform strategy, planning and advocacy to improve maternal nutrition outcomes.

This resource answers common questions national decision‑makers have about introducing and scaling multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programmes for pregnant women. It explains practical considerations, evidence, policy issues and challenges countries face as they transition from iron‑folic acid to MMS in antenatal care. The FAQ aims to inform strategy, planning and advocacy to improve maternal nutrition outcomes.

This 2024 guidance explains how implementation science (IS) can help countries introduce and scale up antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programs. It complements a global MMS scale‑up framework by detailing why and how IS can inform policy, delivery, monitoring, and adaptation of MMS intervention across phases of introduction and expansion.

This 2024 guidance explains how implementation science (IS) can help countries introduce and scale up antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) programs. It complements a global MMS scale‑up framework by detailing why and how IS can inform policy, delivery, monitoring, and adaptation of MMS intervention across phases of introduction and expansion.

This is an advocacy article explaining why multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) which improve maternal and newborn outcomes more than iron‑folic acid alone should be reintroduced into South Africa’s Essential Medicines List. It reviews evidence on birth outcomes and cost‑effectiveness, outlines programmatic and policy barriers, and offers strategic recommendations to support MMS policy adoption and integration into antenatal care.

This is an advocacy article explaining why multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) which improve maternal and newborn outcomes more than iron‑folic acid alone should be reintroduced into South Africa’s Essential Medicines List. It reviews evidence on birth outcomes and cost‑effectiveness, outlines programmatic and policy barriers, and offers strategic recommendations to support MMS policy adoption and integration into antenatal care.

This is a systematic review summarising South African studies (1997–2021) on anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in women of reproductive age and children under five. It found anaemia common (22–44% in women; up to 61% in young children), with variable ID and IDA levels, highlighting moderate public‑health concern and need to strengthen iron‑related interventions.

This is a systematic review summarising South African studies (1997–2021) on anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in women of reproductive age and children under five. It found anaemia common (22–44% in women; up to 61% in young children), with variable ID and IDA levels, highlighting moderate public‑health concern and need to strengthen iron‑related interventions.

This is a visual summary shows anaemia affects nearly two billion people worldwide, especially women and young children, remains widespread despite some declines, and contributes tens of millions of years lived with disability, highlighting persistent age, sex, and regional disparities.

This is a visual summary shows anaemia affects nearly two billion people worldwide, especially women and young children, remains widespread despite some declines, and contributes tens of millions of years lived with disability, highlighting persistent age, sex, and regional disparities.

The Right to Foods activity book explains the human right to adequate, nutritious food in a child‑friendly way, showing how food choices, affordability and access affect diets. It uses fun activities and stories to teach young people about global food systems, challenges like hunger and malnutrition, and how everyone can help build fair, healthy, sustainable food systems where no one is left behind.

The Right to Foods activity book explains the human right to adequate, nutritious food in a child‑friendly way, showing how food choices, affordability and access affect diets. It uses fun activities and stories to teach young people about global food systems, challenges like hunger and malnutrition, and how everyone can help build fair, healthy, sustainable food systems where no one is left behind.

This Activity Book is aimed at a wide age range of young people interested in learning more about the right to foods for a better life and a better future. Although the general target age is 8-12 years, it could also be used to teach both younger and older students.

This Activity Book is aimed at a wide age range of young people interested in learning more about the right to foods for a better life and a better future. Although the general target age is 8-12 years, it could also be used to teach both younger and older students.

This paper presents the 2024 updated global expert consensus on a product specification for the UNIMMAP multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) used in pregnancy. It provides unified, open‑access guidance for manufacturers and purchasers on the formulation, quality standards, regulatory considerations, stability testing, packaging, and labeling required to produce a high‑quality MMS product that meets international norms and supports maternal nutrition programmes.

This paper presents the 2024 updated global expert consensus on a product specification for the UNIMMAP multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) used in pregnancy. It provides unified, open‑access guidance for manufacturers and purchasers on the formulation, quality standards, regulatory considerations, stability testing, packaging, and labeling required to produce a high‑quality MMS product that meets international norms and supports maternal nutrition programmes.

This annual flagship report from the Children’s Institute focuses on early childhood development (ECD) in South Africa, tracking progress against the National Integrated ECD Policy and highlighting critical gaps in health, nutrition, learning access and social support. It presents data showing ongoing high child poverty, stunting and low developmental outcomes, and recommends strengthened investment and coordinated services to ensure young children thrive.

This annual flagship report from the Children’s Institute focuses on early childhood development (ECD) in South Africa, tracking progress against the National Integrated ECD Policy and highlighting critical gaps in health, nutrition, learning access and social support. It presents data showing ongoing high child poverty, stunting and low developmental outcomes, and recommends strengthened investment and coordinated services to ensure young children thrive.

The South African Child Gauge 2024 focuses on early childhood development from conception to school start, analysing progress, challenges and evidence to guide policy and practice. It highlights the science of ECD, gaps in services like immunisation and early learning access, and calls for strengthened systems, financing, leadership and data to ensure young children thrive and contribute to national development.

The South African Child Gauge 2024 focuses on early childhood development from conception to school start, analysing progress, challenges and evidence to guide policy and practice. It highlights the science of ECD, gaps in services like immunisation and early learning access, and calls for strengthened systems, financing, leadership and data to ensure young children thrive and contribute to national development.

This is a working paper outlining international evidence on child stunting to guide policy in South Africa. It highlights causes such as inadequate diets, infections and poor stimulation, and recommends evidence‑based actions like complementary feeding education, nutrient supplements for young children, improved food environments, supportive policies, and better data to reduce high national stunting rates.

This is a working paper outlining international evidence on child stunting to guide policy in South Africa. It highlights causes such as inadequate diets, infections and poor stimulation, and recommends evidence‑based actions like complementary feeding education, nutrient supplements for young children, improved food environments, supportive policies, and better data to reduce high national stunting rates.

This is a technical guidance handbook designed to help countries plan and set up evidence‑based hearing screening programmes across the life course. It builds on the World Report on Hearing by advising public health planners and ministries on how to screen newborns and infants, school‑age children, and older adults, including who to screen, tools and protocols to use, follow‑up pathways and integration with health systems to enable early identification and intervention for hearing loss and ear diseases.

This is a technical guidance handbook designed to help countries plan and set up evidence‑based hearing screening programmes across the life course. It builds on the World Report on Hearing by advising public health planners and ministries on how to screen newborns and infants, school‑age children, and older adults, including who to screen, tools and protocols to use, follow‑up pathways and integration with health systems to enable early identification and intervention for hearing loss and ear diseases.

This report highlights global hearing loss as a major public health issue, urges integration of people‑centred ear and hearing care into health systems, and promotes cost‑effective interventions to prevent and address hearing loss across the lifespan.

This report highlights global hearing loss as a major public health issue, urges integration of people‑centred ear and hearing care into health systems, and promotes cost‑effective interventions to prevent and address hearing loss across the lifespan.

This policy brief outlines the integrated, people‑centred approach to ear and hearing care across the life course. It emphasises prevention, early detection, rehabilitation and inclusion within health systems, advocating for coordinated services that are accessible, affordable and equitable. The brief highlights the need to strengthen policies, data, workforce and resources to address hearing loss globally.

This policy brief outlines the integrated, people‑centred approach to ear and hearing care across the life course. It emphasises prevention, early detection, rehabilitation and inclusion within health systems, advocating for coordinated services that are accessible, affordable and equitable. The brief highlights the need to strengthen policies, data, workforce and resources to address hearing loss globally.

This book examines the system‑level and contextual barriers to preventive ear and hearing care in Africa, including challenges in early hearing detection and intervention programmes, workforce limitations, data systems, cultural factors, infrastructure and policy gaps. It highlights how health system constraints and sociocultural diversity affect preventive audiology delivery and offers evidence‑based recommendations for sustainable improvement.

This book examines the system‑level and contextual barriers to preventive ear and hearing care in Africa, including challenges in early hearing detection and intervention programmes, workforce limitations, data systems, cultural factors, infrastructure and policy gaps. It highlights how health system constraints and sociocultural diversity affect preventive audiology delivery and offers evidence‑based recommendations for sustainable improvement.