In the early 1950s it became apparent to the Rhodesia Government that the rapid increase in literacy amongst Africans, due to the increased tempo of education, would present its own problem. This problem can best be summed up in three words, “Literacy without Literature.” Many school leavers only reached primary level and, although literate, were only literate in their own vernaculars, Shona or Ndebele. Unless books in these languages were provided urgently the people would lose their newly attained skill through sheer lack of practice and in many cases revert to illiteracy. Literacy creates its own type of hunger, hunger for books which must be satisfied, or frustration will ensue.

Thus, in 1953, the Rhodesia Literature Bureau was created, (since 1963 it has been part of the Department of African Education) to make available a supply of literature to fulfil these special needs.