Nal’ibali announces Story Bosso finalists

Nal’ibali, the national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, has announced the shortlist of nominees for its ‘Story Bosso’ storytelling competition. Running throughout Literacy and Heritage Month in September year, and in conjunction with media partner Times Media, the competition has been designed as a nationwide talent search to excite people about reading and telling stories; identify undiscovered storytellers across the country and connect members of the public with a range of SA stories as well as tips and ideas on how to become better storytellers.

Said Carole Bloch, Executive Director of PRAESA (the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa) which is driving the Nal’ibali campaign: “As people living in South Africa, we have a deep history of storytelling which reflects our diversity and our common cultural heritage. And, reading and storytelling are, of course, keys that unlock children’s literacy learning potential.”

Having invited all South Africans, young and old, to tell their favourite family-friendly story in their home languages, the campaign has collected over 2 000 stories from a full cross section of South African society. Now, whittled down to just 15 candidates, celebrity judges will assist Nal’ibali literacy activists in deciding South Africa’s first Story Bosso and two runners-up.

Celebrity judges include actress and writer, Lebogang Mashile; author and retired teacher, Sindiwe Magona; social activist and writer, Shaka Sisulu; comedian and author, Nik Rabinowitz; actress and author Bonnie Henna; children’s author, Alan Glass; new-age performance poet and singer, Busiswa and TV presenter and radio personality, Elana Afrika.

The winner will be announced on Monday 30 November and he or she will take home not only the title, a R5 000 cash prize, a R 1 000 Ackermans voucher and home library courtesy of Bargain Books, Exclusive Books and local publishers, but will also receive a visit from a participating celebrity judge. The runners-up will each receive R2 500 in cash, a R500 Ackermans voucher and a home library.

To access and enjoy all 15 shortlisted stories in the form of audio and video clips, click through here. Stories include original stories, retold stories and stories that have been read aloud by some of South Africa’s most animated storytellers between the ages of five and 51.

 

Nal’ibali 2015 Story Bosso Shortlist Nominees

1. Lisa Gebe
   Story title: The Lion and the Mouse. Category: Read aloud. Language: English. Age: 11

 

2. Chiara Dover
   Story title: Probleme in die Droombos. Category: Read aloud. Language: Afrikaans. Age: 9

 

3. Atang Makgata
   Story title: A Dream About the Enchanted Forest. Category: Original. Language: English. Age: 12

 

4. Busisiwe Smith
   Story title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Category: Retelling. Language: isiZulu. Age: 30

 

5. Edith Makola
   Story title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Category: Retelling. Language: English

 

6. Olwethu Peter
   Story title: The Hyena and the Seven Little Kids. Category: Read aloud. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 9

 

7. Sihle Mncwabe
   Story title: Everything is Rosy. Category: Read aloud. Language: English

 

8. Nozipho Thsabalala
   Story title: The Lion and the Mouse. Category: Retelling. Language: isiZulu. Age: 5

 

9. Athandiwe Skade
   Story title: Umboleki. Category: Retelling. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 7

 

10. Kholeka Gwendolien Nojilawa
    Story title: The Granny with her Grandchildren Living in the Big Forest. Category: Retelling. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 51

 

11. Nyameka Combi
    Story title: Lisa’s First Day at Harare Library. Category: Original. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 33

 

12. The Bright Sparks Dancing Pencils Writing Club (team entry)
    Story title: The Golden Thread by Aaliyah Monga (club member). Category: Read aloud. Language: EnglishClub leader: Maimoonah Asiya Gori, 51. Club members: Muhammad Kaamil Bux, 11; Fathima Mohammed, 9; Husna Adam, 8; Yumna Bux, 8; Haadiya Monga, 9; Tasneem Sheriff, 9; Mahdiyah Moola, 10; Aaliyah Monga, 8; Yusrah Seja, 10; Mohammed Ameen Yousoof, 10; Mariam Seedat, 12.

 

13. Kerrin Kokot and Jayne Batzofin (team entry)
    Story title: The Lonely Frog. Category: Original. Language: English & Sign. Age: 33 and 31

 

14. Funeka Soga
    Story title: Lucy learns her ABC’s. Category: Original. Language: English Age: 24

 

15. Name: Horacio Ngovene
    Story title: The Lion and the Little Mouse. Category: Re-telling. Language: English. Age: 21