News & Articles

To help set up caregivers to read with their children in the new year, Nal’ibali – the national reading-for-enjoyment campaign – has compiled a special calendar highlighting some of the major literacy activities taking place in 2018. Complete with instructions on how to collect the cut-out-and-keep storybooks included in each edition of the campaign’s multilingual supplement, it will also assist young or new readers…

Xolisa Guzula The new year has started and as parents and caregivers we are preparing our children for the start of the new school year. Our children are transitioning from one grade to another and from one phase to another, and each phase or grade has its new challenges. I can see from social media updates that parents are already getting anxious about helping their…

There is no doubt that Zukiswa Wanner is one of South Africa’s most talented authors and storytellers. Her debut novel, The Madam, was published in 2006 and since then Zukiswa has remained relevant and one of the most important voices of our time. This year’s World Read Aloud Day story, ‘The final minute’, was written by Zukiswa. She will also be the storyteller at the…

As 2017 wound down, South Africa heard news that broke our collective hearts. A report by Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS) alerted us to the fact that 78 percent of South African fourth graders cannot read for meaning in any language. This, despite education being one of the ministries that consistently get a big chunk of the national budget annually. So where are…

When the tide pulls back before a tsunami hits, they say that the beach is littered with beautiful starfish. Often people go down to the beach and collect these star-shaped echinoderms, admiring their bright colours. In the distance, however, the power of the ensuing wave builds. Reading the newspapers last week as the results of the National Senior Certificate (matric) were released felt a little bit…

With the festive season upon us, Nal’ibali invites all children, parents and caregivers to be part of our holiday activations. Our skilled storytellers are waiting to welcome you in your area. In keeping with the holiday spirit, each programme session has been designed to get children involved with stories and storytelling in fun and engaging ways. The holiday programme starts on the 12th December and runs…