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My social advocacy focuses on fostering social & corporate ethics, developing youth literacy and literature development in South Africa.
This work is done through the organisations listed below. More information can be found on their websites.
Social and corporate ethics
My advocacy work for a more ethical society and ethical corporate practices is performed through the Institute of Social and Corporate Ethics (ISCE) which I founded in 2021. ISCE is a research-based institute, registered as non-profit organisation. We commit to advocacy campaigns and publish thought-pieces. I serve as CEO.
Youth literacy
Read to Rise aims to address the low youth literacy rate in South Africa by getting children excited about reading and making age-appropriate books available to children in under-resourced communities. Our full-time team works directly in primary school classrooms daily. We are currently embedded in Mitchells Plain (Cape Town) and Soweto (Johannesburg), and regularly work in other schools around the country. I co-founded the organisation in 2013 and serve as Chairman.
Literature development
The Cape Flats Book Festival (CFBF) is the first and only literary festival on the Cape Flats, an area known for grave social ills such as substance-abuse and violence. The festival is an act of hope to showcase the work of local authors and to introduce local readers to some of the best literature from across South Africa and the world. I founded the festival in 2019 and serve as Director.
I also serve as a Board Member of New Contrast, the oldest literary journal in South Africa.
Thought Leader series (Mail & Guardian)
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'Resilience after blowing the whistle' 20 January 2021
Media: TV & Radio
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'SA's poor bear the burden of Covid-19,' CapeTalk, 20 April 2020
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Children need fun books to deal with scary topics, Radio 702, 22 April 2020
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'Books beat a failed system,' Beautiful News South Africa, January 2019
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'On a mission to inspire South Africa's youth to reach greater heights' eNCA, 14 September 2017
Media: Print
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'Athol Williams on why companies involved in State Capture ...' Daily Maverick, 19 January 2021
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'Bain seeks redaction of former partner's affidavit to Zondo ...' Business Maverick, 13 January 2021
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'Bain's bid to muzzle whistleblower' Financial Mail, 17 December 2020
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'South African poet and writer obtains five master’s degrees from top universities' LitNet, 11/9/2019
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'Business as usual won’t fix youth unemployment, poverty and inequality' Business Report, 23/06/19
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'Business as usual won’t fix youth unemployment, poverty and inequality' City Press, 21 June 2019
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'Reparations and big business,' CapeTalk, 29 January 2019
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'Business and socio-economic justice,' Radio 702, 18 July 2017
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'Oaky empowers 100k to read,' People's Post, 2018
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'Reader of the Pack,' Daily Voice, 2018
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'Library makes reading a breeze,' People's Post, 2017
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'Writer seeks to push boundaries for justice,' Cape Argus, 8 September 2017
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'Happy tree is kids’ play at mall,' People's Post, 2017
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'Birthday celebration for Read to Rise,' Plainsman, 2017
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'Local brothers get learners excited about literacy,' Workers World, 2016
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'Oaky’ helps pupils to read and grow stronger,' Plainsman, 2016
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'Sharing their love of reading,' News24, 2016
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'Author uses skills to help uplift others,' Cape Argus, 2015
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'Promoting Youth Literacy,' The Muse, 2015
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'Karabo Learners Read to Rise,' Bridge, 2015
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'Give the gift of reading,' Citysearch, 2015
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'Athol Williams Wins Inyathelo Award for Education,' Inyathelo, 2012
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'Transforming disadvantaged schools,' LeadSA, 2011
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'Hungry for Home,' Mail & Guardian, 2009
Past Roles
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Founder & Chairman, Taurus School Solutions, Cape Town
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Chairman, Family Life Centre, Johannesburg
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Board member, Khulisa Social Solutions, Johannesburg