This article is about social mobilisation as a development communication approach which enhances people's participation in social or development programmes or projects. It examines the concept and elements of social mobilisation and the extent to which social mobilisation has been applied to improve people's participation in the Botswana national literacy programme. The analysis of social mobilisation practice in Botswana has shown that when mobilised, people participate in large numbers in development programmes. For example, mobilisation activities which were mounted during a period of one year between when the programme started as an experiment and when it was officially launched as a national programme resulted in impressive participation statistics. Finally, the article suggests the application of both social mobilisation and a literacy approach that is amenable to social mobilisation, if Botswana is to eradicate or greatly reduce adult illiteracy by the year 2000.
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