News & Articles

As the new year starts, much of South Africa’s focus has been on education, with matric results being announced and scores of children starting grade 1. However, given the state of the education system in South Africa, one might ask what determines success for children who start school and then stay in school until passing their matric certificate 12 years later? The ability to…

This year Nal’ibali, South Africa’s reading-for-enjoyment campaign, set a target to read aloud to 2 million children on World Read Aloud Day, Wednesday 5 February. Issuing a special story in all 11 official languages and calling on the support of South Africans everywhere, the campaign has announced that close to 3 million children were read to. World Read Aloud Day is a global event to…

Children learn best when they are happy. This is why Nal’ibali, South Africa’s reading-for-enjoyment-campaign, and Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA) have partnered for the second year in a row to tour their libraries roadshow aimed at building literacy bridges between schools and libraries.   The tour includes a theatre performance based on three Nal’ibali characters and the full show comprises storytelling, physical theatre, clowning and…

A child on a bike, with a book bag slung over their shoulder, on their way to the library, is a sight that would warm any parent, teacher or librarian’s heart. This was the result that Nal’ibali – South Africa’s reading for enjoyment campaign – was aiming for when it started its nationwide library drive to get as many children as possible signed up…

Storytelling is a human need. We only have to look at the success of Generations—people tuned in for years to see the latest plot twist! How do you think sharing stories brings us together? When one shares a story, it results in people gathering together. Telling and sharing stories gives us common ground and a platform for human connection, whether in a taxi to work…

‘Literacy is not a luxury; it’s a right and a responsibility.’ While education may be the most powerful weapon, reading aloud and storytelling are integral building blocks of learning. This is why Nal’ibali, a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign designed to spark children’s potential through storytelling and reading, was founded. For the last seven years, Nal’ibali has been bringing a special story to children to celebrate World Read…