IInternational Literacy Day marks the importance of communication. You are a formidable force when you have mastered the ability to communicate - be it in writing, speech and even thought.

According to the United Nations, more than 717 million people around the world, both children and adults, have a severe lack of literacy skills. This is both alarming, but also eye opening.

Imagine you're not able to understand a written instruction for your work, or to cook something as simple as spaghetti? Granted, through learned experience and over a period of time, one can learn how to make pasta al dente, but it doesn't change the fact that you can't order off a menu, understand which offramp to take, potentially how much something costs - the list seemingly just grows and grows.

Here in South Africa we have LITASA (The Literacy Association of South Africa), a volunteer-run member body with the primary purpose of promoting literacy. Through research, sharing of best practice and community collaboration, they aim to grow a strong literacy community.

Where possible, what can you do to make an impact and help nurture and guide future readers, thinkers and speakers to a world relieved of illiteracy - share them with us!