South African literacy advocate, author and educator Lorato Trok has received continental recognition for her outstanding contribution to literacy, literature and education advocacy, earning a prestigious honour from the Association of Mental Health Reform Organisations in Africa (AMHROA).
The award acknowledges more than two decades of dedicated service to promoting reading, multilingual literacy and educational development among children across Africa.
A director of children`s literacy organisation Nali’bali Trust, Trok’s growing national profile was affirmed in June 2025 when President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed her to the National Dialogue’s Eminent Persons Group, a panel of 31 distinguished South Africans tasked with guiding and championing the country’s National Dialogue process. The initiative was established to foster a shared national vision, strengthen social cohesion, and develop a new social compact to address South Africa’s most pressing challenges, including inequality, unemployment, poverty and social division. As an author and early literacy expert, Trok was selected to help ensure that the voices of educators, children, communities and the broader cultural sector are represented in shaping the country’s future.
She was also profiled by the Southern Cross Magazine in early 2025, highlighting her lifelong commitment to literacy, indigenous languages and children’s literature. The feature explored how her faith, leadership and advocacy have combined to make her one of South Africa’s most influential champions of reading and educational development.
Born in Kuruman in the Northern Cape, her passion for storytelling was nurtured through the oral Setswana stories shared by her mother during her childhood. These early experiences inspired a lifelong commitment to literature and education. She later pursued studies in teaching and librarianship, further strengthening her expertise through qualifications in creative writing and editing.
Today, Trok is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s leading voices in children’s literature and literacy development. As Executive Director of the Nal’ibali Trust, she oversees one of the country’s most influential reading-for-enjoyment campaigns, encouraging children to develop a love for books and storytelling from an early age. Under her leadership, Nal’ibali has expanded literacy programmes through reading clubs, storytelling initiatives, community campaigns and the production of accessible reading materials.
The AMHROA award recognises Trok’s longstanding advocacy for mother-tongue education and her commitment to preserving indigenous African languages through literature. Throughout her career, she has consistently promoted the importance of multilingual literacy, arguing that children learn best when they are able to read and engage with stories in languages familiar to them. Her work has contributed significantly to efforts aimed at ensuring that educational opportunities are more inclusive and culturally relevant.
Beyond Nal’ibali, Trok has played important leadership roles in several influential literacy organisations, including the Centre for the Book, the African Storybook Initiative, Room to Read and the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation. Through these institutions, she has advocated for greater access to quality books and reading resources in all eleven of South Africa’s official languages.
An accomplished author and editor, Trok has also made her mark through publications that highlight overlooked South African stories and historical figures. Her works include books on notable Black South African personalities, helping to ensure that their contributions are remembered and celebrated by future generations. She also co-published the first children’s book in the endangered N/uu language, a landmark contribution to language preservation and cultural heritage.
Accepting the award, Trok emphasised that the honour was not hers alone:
“While I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition, it also belongs to the many literacy champions, caregivers, educators, community volunteers and partners who work tirelessly to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy and power of reading,” she said.
The tribute underscored her longstanding belief that building a culture of reading requires a collective effort involving families, schools, communities and literacy organisations working together to nurture young readers.
The award further highlights the growing recognition of the relationship between literacy and mental wellbeing. Research increasingly shows that access to books and storytelling helps children develop confidence, resilience, empathy and a stronger sense of belonging. By promoting reading and storytelling, literacy advocates such as Trok contribute not only to educational achievement but also to the emotional and social development of young people.
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