Literacy Blog |

“Reading and sharing stories with children is one of the most powerful gifts you can give them. Not only does it help to develop children’s literacy skills, but it also fires up those parts of the brain concerned with imagination, emotion and movement. Ultimately, it helps to create the neural circuits that enable sophisticated thinking and reasoning, helping children to do well at school,”...

Yandiswa Xhakaza CEO at The Nal’ibali Trust I have heard parents aspire for their children to only speak English or they at least prioritise the speaking of the English language above all other languages, particularly not their own African languages. Why? I have often wondered why parent choices around languages often almost place English as superior to their own home languages. I have come to learn...

Increasing pressure on the publishing industry, plus a shrinking reading culture, hasn't changed the enormous lifelong benefit of reading to children from early childhood. With South Africa having eleven official languages, how do we ensure children across the country access these benefits in their mother tongue? By Jade Jacobsohn, Managing Director at Nal’ibali. ------------- According to UNESCO, “Illiteracy and poverty constitute a mutually reinforcing, vicious cycle...

I grew up in a community that did not have many libraries. I was born and raised in Gugulethu. The only thing we did every Saturday morning was go to Luyolo Arts Centre and listen to a few ladies telling us about girl guides. Needless to say, this was boring, it felt like an un-official church. I listened anyway. I wanted more for myself...

Reading-for-joy as a strategy for development must be a priority on South Africa’s agenda. In fact, it needs to be our next big revolution, says Dr Sebabatso Manoeli. As Literacy Month ended in September, it is vital that our literacy woes do not fall to the wayside until the month of September rolls back round again. We have heard repeatedly that, according to the most...

Our Literacy Mentors across the country will be hosting Story Bosso public events, where everyone is encouraged to showcase their storytelling skills. Find out where the nearest station is to you. Eastern Cape LM Name and Surname Event Date Time Venue Abongile Davani 4 September 09:00 - 13:00 Mbanga Primary School Butterworth Abongile Davani 8 September 09:00 - 13:00 Amalinda- Khulanathi Abongile Davani 24 September 09:00 - 13:00 Silatsha Primary School, Mooiplaas Abongile Davani 25 September 10:00 - 13:00 Amajingqi-Ngadla Community Hall Madoda Mdlakuse 18 September 12:00 Uitenhage Library KwaZulu...

Nal’ibali’s Story Powered Schools project has reached the halfway mark in its goal to create a culture of reading across 720 schools in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Working closely with schools over a 3-year period, the Department of Basic Education identified specific rural schools with the greatest need within these provinces, to develop basic literacy amongst its pupils. The participating school’s’ key objective...

To commemorate the centenary celebration of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Nal’ibali – South Africa’s reading-for-enjoyment campaign – is highlighting some of the values he embodied by sharing a special series of three children’s stories. Made possible through a collaboration with non-governmental organisation Heartlines, the stories focus on honesty, compassion and forgiveness and are an effective way for adults and caregivers to pass on these values...

Smangele Mathebula At the crux of great societal change lies the spirit of young people and their audacious will to make change happen. This Youth Day we pay homage to the young people of June 16 1976, who made their voices heard against the oppressive language policies of the apartheid government. One must consider the inequality and application of these policies, which can still be felt in...

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Literacy Blog

GIVE THE GIFT OF STORIES THIS FESTIVE SEASON WITH NAL’IBALI

My Child only Speaks English

Paperless power: The magic of reading to your child in a digital world

The importance of libraries

Of Literacy and Love

Be part of our Story Bosso activities

Story Powered Schools project sparks a joy of reading in rural schools

Share Madiba Magic stories this Mandela Day

Join Nal'ibali in sharing Madiba Magic with children this Mandela Day

Youth Activism in a time of literacy inequality