Nal’ibali-Lesedi Solar Parks Trust Literacy Projects puts the spotlight on young authors

Written by Athenkosi Matyalana

What happens when you empower young children by giving them access to reading materials in their home language and a platform to share their stories? You get two editions of authentic stories written by children in their mother tongue, based on their own experiences.

Nal’ibali, in collaboration with Lesedi Solar Park Trust, recently celebrated the launch of the second edition of the anthology, “Seeds of Change,” at NG Kerk, Postmasburg, Northern Cape. The anthology features 76 poems and short stories in English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa written by 76 learners from 10 primary schools in Postmasburg and Danielskuil.
The launch, which gathered child authors, teachers, and parents, was not just about releasing a book but also about celebrating the collaboration among different communities and organizations. The learners shared their stories with their caregivers, who joined them on stage. Hearing these stories and seeing the illustrations proved that reading and writing can be tools for reflection, empowerment, and healing for children.

Supporting young writers early on can provide a strong foundation for their growth and help them thrive as they develop personally, academically, and professionally. Nal’ibali supports young writers by increasing access to reading materials, offering mentorship, and creating platforms for them to share their work.

Why it’s important to encourage children to write in their mother tongues:

• Children explore their thoughts and feelings through drawing and writing.
•  The writings and drawings that the children produce are culturally relevant and relatable.
•  These stories are low-cost, age-appropriate reading materials in children’s home languages.
•  It promotes reading as enjoyable and rewarding.
•  It affirms the importance, relevance and beauty of the mother tongue in capturing the experiences, history and culture of the native speaker.