Nal’ibali (isiXhosa for “here’s the story”) is a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, founded in 2012. It builds literacy skills and promotes lifelong reading culture in homes, schools, and communities across South Africa.

According to literacy specialist for Nal’ ibali, Sally Du Preez, included in the series for September titled, ‘Celebrating Mzansi’ is an isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, and Afrikaans short story.

“Each written by a local author, the stories have been translated into English and designed as colourful bilingual story cards that are enticing, easy to read and accessible for children aged five to seven years,” she says.

She added that children who read and hear engaging stories in languages they understand are well equipped and motivated to learn to read and write. They are also more likely to find fulfilling jobs and to make a meaningful contribution to society.

“Nal’ibali is for all people – young and old, and of any language. Even those who can’t read can be involved as storytelling has equally important role to play in supporting children’s literacy development,” she said.

She added that the main reason Nal’ibali is such an important initiative is because South Africa is facing a literacy crisis: Close to one-third of children are functionally illiterate, with the highest concentration living in rural areas. This means that most learners leaving the South African school system, do so without the basic skills they need to succeed in work and life and that many rural communities remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.  

Furthermore, Nal’ibali recognises that reading underpins all school learning and has been working for the past ten years to significantly improve the life trajectory of young children using the power of books and stories – children who are exposed to great and well told stories are better equipped and more motivated to learn to read when they reach school.

Nal’ibali has free children’s stories available in all South African languages in a number of different platforms. They can be accessed via its website, www.nalibali.org, or its WhatsApp number: 060 044 2254 simply by messaging the word, ‘Stories’. Young and old can start reading together today.

OFM News