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GROWING THE LOVE FOR STORIES & READING

Who’s Ready to Explore?

Dive into fun resources, tools and communities to spark a love of reading.

Kids’ Corner

Dive into a world of stories, games and activities! Explore More >

Teaching Toolkit

Empowering young minds with our resources! Explore More >

Supporters’ Hub

Discover how your generosity can make a difference! Explore More >

Parents’ Place

Discover tips, tools and fun ideas to support your little reader! Explore More >

Reading CLub

Build your skills with expert resources and exciting workshops! Explore More >

Training Hub

Join the adventure with books, buddies and reading fun! Explore More >

Stories to Read

Discover amazing stories full of Africa’s colours and magic!

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Stories to Listen To

Listen to amazing audio stories from Africa’s bold and beautiful culture!

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Choose language

Rabbit learns to forgive

The hidden talent

Sports Day

Village of the cruel king

The wizard’s gift

Why porcupines search for food at night

Stories to Watch

Watch videos of wonderful stories being told!

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Something special

Wolf’s Supper

Jabu’s Diary

Anything can happen

The Storyteller of Ham

What does an angel look like?

Activity Sheets & Printables:

Unleash your imagination with exciting printables and activities!

Reading Activities
Word Activities
Colouring Printables
Storytelling Playing Cards
Posters
Here’s the Story:

Inspiring a Love for Reading

Nal’ibali (isiXhosa for “here’s the story”) is South Africa’s national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, inspiring children aged 0–12 to love reading stories in all South African languages. By promoting home languages, Nal’ibali helps children build literacy skills and develop a lifelong reading culture. Adults play a key role in nurturing this love of stories and supporting children’s growth.

Learn more

Our Campaigns

This is where Nal’ibali’s work on the ground comes to life, bringing the love of stories to children all over the country.

World Read Aloud Day

We celebrate World Read Aloud Day every year by sharing a special story in all 12 SA language…

Literacy Month

Literacy Day and Heritage Month are celebrated in September. Each year, Nal’ibali celebrates the rich diversity of culture in South Africa by reawakening a love of African stories.

World Book Day

Nal’ibali uses Book Day to highlight the importance of access to literacy materials in the mother tongue, and to distribute books across South Africa.

Mandela Month

During Mandela Month, Nal’ibali hosts reading-aloud sessions and play-based learning activities, and distributes reading materials together with partners across nine South African provinces.

Drop Everything and Read

Nal’ibali sees D.E.A.R as an opportunity to foster a culture of reading for enjoyment at schools, home, preschool and in communities…

Nal’ibali Supplement Month

June is Nal’ibali Newspaper Supplement Month. During the month, Nal’ibali celebrates the impact that the Nal’ibali bilingual…

Men’s Literacy Imbizo

This platform provides a space where men can engage in issues affecting them as reading role models…

International Mother Language Day

Nal’ibali uses Mother Language Day to raise awareness about the importance of all 12 South African languages in literacy development.

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Latest news

Transforming Lives Through Literacy: The Lasting Impact of the Nal’ibali SEF Family Literacy Project

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Latest news

Nal’ibali Trust wins 2026 Library of Congress International Literacy Prize (Newzroom Afrika)

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Latest news

Ikwekwezi FM covers Nal’ibali’s literacy drive in Nkangala

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Latest news

Lorato Trok on Nal’ibali’s 2026 Library of Congress International Literacy Prize and LITASA Award

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Inspiration in Action

Catch our latest moments, stories and inspiration straight from Instagram.

@nalibalisa
Nal'ibali

@nalibalisa

Nal'ibali is a reading-for-enjoyment campaign that sparks children's potential through storytelling and reading.
  • The countdown to World Read Aloud Day 2027 starts now! On 3 February, we’re teaming up with @sledsignlanguage to bring Lost and Found by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by @rico.schacherl, to children across South Africa. Parents, get your FREE story in all 12 official South African languages: Visit nalibali.org WhatsApp 060 044 2254 and type Hi. You can also save the story images to your phone and read along with your children! One story. 12 languages. Countless opportunities to share the joy of reading. Let’s make every day a story day!
  • Stories can entertain, educate and inspire change. They can also help young people challenge injustice and imagine a better future. At @ngeke.festival, we engaged young people on the power of storytelling in the fight against corruption, exploring how literacy and critical thinking can help them question, speak up and drive change. Music amplified the message. @blvq_iris & The Crossroads and @xtreem_makhayeni used their performances to stress the importance of standing against corruption, while headline acts @iamnomfundomoh and @tbmomusic brought the energy. For us, this is literacy beyond the page. Through our work, we use stories to develop confident readers, critical thinkers and young people who can find their voices and shape their communities. We also connected with civil society organisations and creatives to explore partnerships that bring storytelling, literacy and social change together. Ngeke! Festival was organised in partnership with Fair Play, @transparency_international, @publicprotectorsouthafrica, @corruptionwatchsa, Enhancing Accountability and JMInternational, with funding from the European Union. Stories spark conversations. Young voices drive change.
  • Help us put more books into the hands of children who need them most. Your support will help us provide free reading resources, grow community reading clubs and equip more parents and caregivers to make reading part of children’s everyday lives. Together, we can bring more stories to more children and build a nation of readers. Invest in a nation of readers. Scan the QR code to donate or email donations@nalibali.org to find out how you can support this goal.
  • From South Africa to the world stage! Watch the video celebrating the 2026 Library of Congress International Literacy Prize recipients, featuring our recognition for advancing literacy and building a culture of reading across South Africa. See the impact of stories and the people driving change. Watch now: https://youtu.be/GhWrOxSERMU
View on Instagram
The countdown to World Read Aloud Day 2027 starts now! On 3 February, we’re teaming up with @sledsignlanguage to bring Lost and Found by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by @rico.schacherl, to children across South Africa. Parents, get your FREE story in all 12 official South African languages: Visit nalibali.org WhatsApp 060 044 2254 and type Hi. You can also save the story images to your phone and read along with your children! One story. 12 languages. Countless opportunities to share the joy of reading. Let’s make every day a story day!
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
The countdown to World Read Aloud Day 2027 starts now! On 3 February, we’re teaming up with @sledsignlanguage to bring Lost and Found by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by @rico.schacherl, to children across South Africa. Parents, get your FREE story in all 12 official South African languages: Visit nalibali.org WhatsApp 060 044 2254 and type Hi. You can also save the story images to your phone and read along with your children! One story. 12 languages. Countless opportunities to share the joy of reading. Let’s make every day a story day!
22 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/4
Stories can entertain, educate and inspire change. They can also help young people challenge injustice and imagine a better future. At @ngeke.festival, we engaged young people on the power of storytelling in the fight against corruption, exploring how literacy and critical thinking can help them question, speak up and drive change. Music amplified the message. @blvq_iris & The Crossroads and @xtreem_makhayeni used their performances to stress the importance of standing against corruption, while headline acts @iamnomfundomoh and @tbmomusic brought the energy. For us, this is literacy beyond the page. Through our work, we use stories to develop confident readers, critical thinkers and young people who can find their voices and shape their communities. We also connected with civil society organisations and creatives to explore partnerships that bring storytelling, literacy and social change together. Ngeke! Festival was organised in partnership with Fair Play, @transparency_international, @publicprotectorsouthafrica, @corruptionwatchsa, Enhancing Accountability and JMInternational, with funding from the European Union. Stories spark conversations. Young voices drive change.
Stories can entertain, educate and inspire change. They can also help young people challenge injustice and imagine a better future. At @ngeke.festival, we engaged young people on the power of storytelling in the fight against corruption, exploring how literacy and critical thinking can help them question, speak up and drive change. Music amplified the message. @blvq_iris & The Crossroads and @xtreem_makhayeni used their performances to stress the importance of standing against corruption, while headline acts @iamnomfundomoh and @tbmomusic brought the energy. For us, this is literacy beyond the page. Through our work, we use stories to develop confident readers, critical thinkers and young people who can find their voices and shape their communities. We also connected with civil society organisations and creatives to explore partnerships that bring storytelling, literacy and social change together. Ngeke! Festival was organised in partnership with Fair Play, @transparency_international, @publicprotectorsouthafrica, @corruptionwatchsa, Enhancing Accountability and JMInternational, with funding from the European Union. Stories spark conversations. Young voices drive change.
Stories can entertain, educate and inspire change. They can also help young people challenge injustice and imagine a better future. At @ngeke.festival, we engaged young people on the power of storytelling in the fight against corruption, exploring how literacy and critical thinking can help them question, speak up and drive change. Music amplified the message. @blvq_iris & The Crossroads and @xtreem_makhayeni used their performances to stress the importance of standing against corruption, while headline acts @iamnomfundomoh and @tbmomusic brought the energy. For us, this is literacy beyond the page. Through our work, we use stories to develop confident readers, critical thinkers and young people who can find their voices and shape their communities. We also connected with civil society organisations and creatives to explore partnerships that bring storytelling, literacy and social change together. Ngeke! Festival was organised in partnership with Fair Play, @transparency_international, @publicprotectorsouthafrica, @corruptionwatchsa, Enhancing Accountability and JMInternational, with funding from the European Union. Stories spark conversations. Young voices drive change.
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
Stories can entertain, educate and inspire change. They can also help young people challenge injustice and imagine a better future. At @ngeke.festival, we engaged young people on the power of storytelling in the fight against corruption, exploring how literacy and critical thinking can help them question, speak up and drive change. Music amplified the message. @blvq_iris & The Crossroads and @xtreem_makhayeni used their performances to stress the importance of standing against corruption, while headline acts @iamnomfundomoh and @tbmomusic brought the energy. For us, this is literacy beyond the page. Through our work, we use stories to develop confident readers, critical thinkers and young people who can find their voices and shape their communities. We also connected with civil society organisations and creatives to explore partnerships that bring storytelling, literacy and social change together. Ngeke! Festival was organised in partnership with Fair Play, @transparency_international, @publicprotectorsouthafrica, @corruptionwatchsa, Enhancing Accountability and JMInternational, with funding from the European Union. Stories spark conversations. Young voices drive change.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
Help us put more books into the hands of children who need them most. Your support will help us provide free reading resources, grow community reading clubs and equip more parents and caregivers to make reading part of children’s everyday lives. Together, we can bring more stories to more children and build a nation of readers. Invest in a nation of readers. Scan the QR code to donate or email donations@nalibali.org to find out how you can support this goal.
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
Help us put more books into the hands of children who need them most. Your support will help us provide free reading resources, grow community reading clubs and equip more parents and caregivers to make reading part of children’s everyday lives. Together, we can bring more stories to more children and build a nation of readers. Invest in a nation of readers. Scan the QR code to donate or email donations@nalibali.org to find out how you can support this goal.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
From South Africa to the world stage! Watch the video celebrating the 2026 Library of Congress International Literacy Prize recipients, featuring our recognition for advancing literacy and building a culture of reading across South Africa. See the impact of stories and the people driving change. Watch now: https://youtu.be/GhWrOxSERMU
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
From South Africa to the world stage! Watch the video celebrating the 2026 Library of Congress International Literacy Prize recipients, featuring our recognition for advancing literacy and building a culture of reading across South Africa. See the impact of stories and the people driving change. Watch now: https://youtu.be/GhWrOxSERMU
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/4

Become a Hero for Literacy

Join Nal’ibali as a volunteer and help spark a lifelong love of reading in children. Together, we can build a brighter future—one story at a time.

Donate Now