News & Articles

When government talks about the re-opening of schools it is preoccupied with two things: the coverage of the curriculum and the conduct of year-end examinations. In other words, the planning for reopening, even a phased return to schools, frames children as cognitive machines which need to be oiled so that it can operate smoothly to deliver on pre-planned outcomes. If that metaphor sounds too…

Nelson Mandela stood both for children and their education. The reopening of schools this July is a contentious issue which has been argued from both a logistical and an educator’s perspective. To coincide with Mandela Day, Nal’ibali – South Africa’s reading-for-enjoyment campaign – will be leading the discussion from a child’s perspective, focusing specifically on their rights to education and wellbeing. The campaign will be…

On the eve of Youth Day and cusp of Father’s Day, Thulani Magazi, the editor of community newspapers, City Vision and the People’s Post, talks to Nal’ibali – South Africa’s joy for reading campaign – about his approach towards home schooling his children and his responsibilities as a working dad in a global pandemic.   The outbreak of the Covid-19 virus in South Africa in March…

A father figure’s interest in his child’s education – which is the time spent on their homework and schooling – is vital in determining his or her academic achievements. It can also outweigh the negative impact of racism and poverty in a young person’s life. Further, the amount of time a father figure spends reading with his children is one of the best ways…

It would seem that many parents are still very reluctant to send their children back to school. Especially those with children in public schools who do not particularly believe that all the necessary precautions will be taken, or that their children (given how young they are) will be able to follow what seems like complex COVID-19 protocols. Many parents have been heard saying that they…

This June Nal’ibali – the national reading-for-enjoyment campaign – is focussing on fathers and father-figures, and the powerful role men can play in their children’s lives, simply by reading and spending time with them.   We know that fathers have an important role to play in the lives of their children. And, research over the last twenty years tells us that fathers can strengthen their…