GROWING THE LOVE FOR STORIES & READING

Grown-ups love storytime too. A newspaper supplement, softly tucked inside the pages, can feel like a small gift. A quiet moment to pause, breathe, and get lost in a story. Just like children do. Because the joy of reading never grows old. #Nalibali #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #ReadingForEnjoyment

Something special unfolded in that space. As Ms N. Grobler from Little Seeds Eastern Cape read Uncwadi, the children weren’t just listening, they were drawn in, seeing themselves in the story and beginning to find their own voices. Then came the shift. With the Nal’ibali supplement book-making session, they moved from turning pages to creating their own. Little hands, big ideas, each child becoming a storyteller, holding something they made with pride. With Mfundo the Mascot bringing energy and laughter, the room filled with imagination, confidence and pure joy. This is the magic of reading for enjoyment. It does not end with a story. It begins there. #Nalibali #ReadingForEnjoyment #Storytelling #LiteracyInAction

Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower

Our Word of the Month. “By the time I was six, I was inscribed in the children’s library… and without that library, I don’t think I would ever have been a writer.” — Nadine Gordimer From a young reader to a Nobel Prize-winning author, this powerful reminder shows just how life-changing access to books and libraries can be. Let’s continue to open doors to stories for every child. Image: University of Cape Town Libraries Special Collections.