GROWING THE LOVE FOR STORIES & READING

Recently, we joined the celebrations at Lakeside Estate alongside Midvaal Libraries and the enthusiastic learners of Lakeside Primary School. The day was filled with lively storytelling, joyful music and plenty of dancing as children gathered to celebrate the magic of stories. Beyond the fun, the event also highlighted something important: raising awareness about the value of libraries and the many services children can take advantage of. From books and storytelling spaces to learning programmes and creative activities, libraries open the door to learning, imagination and discovery. Experiences like these remind us that libraries are far more than shelves of books. They are lively community spaces where stories spark imagination and children begin their journey toward a lifelong love of reading.

Ibali elincinci, izifundo ezinkulu. Incwadi ethi uWanda oKhaliphileyo ibhalwe nguSihle Nontshokweni kunye noMathabo Tlali ukanti imizobo yayo emihle izotywe nguChantelle Thorne ekunye noBurgen Thorne. Le ncwadi imalunga noWanda, intombazana encinci efunda ukubonisa isibindi, ukuzithemba nokuma ngokuqinileyo engaxengaxengi kwinto akholelwa kuyo. Ibali likaWanda likhuthaza abantwana ngokubanzi ukuba bathethe inyani, bazithembe kwaye babenesibindi sokumela into elungileyo. Siyithanda kakhulu le ncwadi ngoba kaloku ibaliswa ngendlela elula nenomtsalane, inemizobo ethi ndijonge kwaye inika abantwana bethu izifundo ezibalulekileyo ngobubele,isibindi nokuzithemba. Sikhuthaza abazali nabagcini babantwana ukuba bayifundele abantwana babo le ncwadi. Amabali afana neli anceda abantwana ukuze bazibone kwiincwadi, akhuthaze uthando lokufunda aze avule iingxoxo ezibalulekileyo nezikhuthazayo ekhaya. Masikhulise abantwana abazithembileyo nabathanda ukufunda. #UWandaOKhaliphileyo #AmabaliAbantwana #UkufundaKubalulekile #UthandoLokufunda #AbantwanaBayafunda

At a vibrant clinic activation in the Bathurst area of the Ndlambe District, the SEF4 team partnered with dedicated health practitioners to bring storytelling into the heart of community care. Patients waiting for services, alongside nurses and clinic staff, joined in a creative and joyful activity: making their own books using Nal’ibali supplements. Laughter, imagination and meaningful conversations filled the space as stories became a bridge between health information and community connection. Through storytelling, important health messages were shared in ways that people could understand and relate to in their own languages. When stories are used to communicate care and knowledge, people feel safe to speak, ask questions and access the help they need. Moments like these remind us that literacy is more than reading and writing. It is about restoring human rights, affirming dignity, and ensuring that every voice is heard.

Day 2 at SEF4 kuBhanti! Our team highlighted a crucial point: engaging young men in literacy projects encourages more men to support literacy development, breaking the mold where women often bear the brunt of this work, especially in early childhood development centres, as noted by Dr. Nompucuko Zakaza, Eastern Cape Provincial Coordinator. When young men take an active role, it rewrites the narrative, reminding us that literacy is truly everyone’s responsibility. #SEF4 #MenInLiteracy #LiteracyForAll #ReadingCulture #Nalibali