Literacy trends among Black adults in the Republic of South Africa and in some Black states in southern Africa were determined from data obtained from population census reports from 1946 to 1970. Problems concerning the determination of literacy statistics included differing definitions of literacy and data that were subjective, difficult to compare, and unreliable. During the period studied, there was an increase in literacy which amounted to about one percent per annum. Literacy tended to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas and higher in white areas than in Black states. In urban areas the percentage of literate women was higher than that of literate men; the position was reversed in the rural areas. For the total Black population literacy among men was slightly higher than among women. Literacy was higher among lower age groups. The biggest increase in literacy was also in the lower age groups and among males. The promotion of literacy among all the identified groups was recommended. (Twenty-two tables and six graphs are appended.) (YLB)