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GROWING THE LOVE FOR STORIES & READING

Who’s Ready to Explore?

Dive into fun resources, tools and communities to spark a love of reading.

Kids’ Corner

Dive into a world of stories, games, and activites! Explore More >

Teaching Toolkit

Empowering young mind’s with our resource’s! Explore More >

Supporters’ Hub

Discover how your generosity can make a difference! Explore More >

Parents’ Place

Discover tips, tools, and fun ideas to support your little reader! Explore More >

Reading CLub

Build your skills with expert resources and exciting workshops Explore More >

Training Hub

Join the adventure with books, buddies, and reading fun! Explore More >

Stories to Read

Discover amazing stories full of Africa’s colours and magic!

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Stories to Listen To

Listen to amazing audio stories from Africa’s bold and beautiful culture!

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Stories to Watch

Watch videos of wonderful stories being told!

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Activity Sheets & Printables:

Unleash your imagination with exciting printables and activities!

Reading Activities
Word Activities
Colouring Printables
Storytelling Playing Cards
Posters
Here’s the Story:

Inspiring a Love for Reading

Nal’ibali (isiXhosa for “here’s the story”) is South Africa’s national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, inspiring children aged 0–12 to love reading stories in all South African languages. By promoting home languages, Nal’ibali helps children build literacy skills and develop a lifelong reading culture. Adults play a key role in nurturing this love of stories and supporting children’s growth.

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Our Campaigns

This is where Nal’ibali’s work on the ground comes to life, bringing the love of stories to children all over the country.

World Read Aloud Day

We celebrate World Read Aloud Day every year by sharing a special story in all 12 SA language…

Literacy Month
Literacy Day and Heritage Month are celebrated in September. Each year, Nal’ibali celebrates the rich diversity of culture in South Africa by reawakening a love of African stories.
World Book Day

Nal’ibali uses Book Day to highlight the importance of access to literacy materials in the mother tongue, and to distribute books across South Africa.

Mandela Month
During Mandela Month, Nal’ibali hosts reading-aloud sessions and play-based learning activities, and together with partners, distributes reading materials across nine South African provinces.
Drop Everything and Read

Nal’ibali sees D.E.A.R as an opportunity to foster a culture of reading for enjoyment at schools, homes, preschools, and in communities. 

Nal’ibali Supplement Month

June is Nal’ibali Newspaper Supplement Month. During the month, Nal’ibali celebrates the impact that the Nal’ibali bilingual…

Men’s Literacy Imbizo

This platform provides a space where men can engage in issues affecting them as reading role models…

International Mother Language Day

Nal’ibali uses Mother Language Day  to raise awareness about the importance of all 12 South African languages in literacy development.

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Latest news

IsiZulu goes international

Since its inception in 2012, Nal’ibali, South Africa’s prime reading-for-enjoyment campaign, has partnered with numerous stakeholders to maximize its impact.
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Latest news

Nal’ibali has inspired me to continue promoting literacy

I am Zahida Wahab and I am proud to call myself a resident of the Bayview community, which is a
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Latest news

Women at the forefront of early-childhood literacy development in East London

It is a known fact that many grade 4 learners across the country are unable to read for meaning. The
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Latest news

Story Sparker empowers community through literacy

When 22-year-old Asive Mcunukelwa from Molteno finally landed a job as an Educational Assistant at a local primary school in
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Inspiration in Action

Catch our latest moments, stories and inspiration straight from Instagram.

@nalibalisa
Nal'ibali

@nalibalisa

Nal'ibali is a reading-for-enjoyment campaign that sparks children's potential through storytelling and reading.
  • South Africa’s literacy crisis won’t be solved in classrooms alone. The highest return on investment lies earlier, in the home, in the first years of life, with caregivers as a child’s first teachers. Early and family-centred literacy builds the foundation for learning before a child ever enters school. It’s cost-effective, scalable, and proven to shift outcomes. This is not a short-term fix. It’s a long-term solution. Partner with us. Invest early. Transform literacy outcomes.
  • Have you registered yet? We’re going live today at 17:00. Join the 5th Men’s Literacy Imbizo as we explore the power of a man’s voice in early literacy and why it matters for every child. Be part of the conversation. Save your spot now. Register now: https://streamyard.com/watch/Y89F4Uu5hZss
  • We showed up, we read, and we celebrated. Nal’ibali joined the 32nd EC Provincial Freedom Day celebrations in Ndlambe Municipality, Alexandria (eMnyameni), thanks to the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Freedom lives in every story told and every child who reads. Our mascot Mfundo and Dr Zakaza brought the energy, reminding us to cherish our identity through stories and keep access to reading growing. This is our story. This is our freedom.
  • A story shared is a gift that keeps giving. Thank you to children’s author Faith Maluleke for donating N’weti: Kokwani’s Surprise Party, a joyful story of family, love and togetherness. Through our reading clubs, Storytime sessions and community spaces, this story will come alive for children in fun, interactive ways. It reminds us to value our elders, cherish our roots, and hold onto the moments that matter. Reading together is how we pass on love, values and belonging. #Nalibali #BookDonation #AfricanStories #LiteracyForAll #ReadingChangesLives
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South Africa’s literacy crisis won’t be solved in classrooms alone. The highest return on investment lies earlier, in the home, in the first years of life, with caregivers as a child’s first teachers. Early and family-centred literacy builds the foundation for learning before a child ever enters school. It’s cost-effective, scalable, and proven to shift outcomes. This is not a short-term fix. It’s a long-term solution. Partner with us. Invest early. Transform literacy outcomes.
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
South Africa’s literacy crisis won’t be solved in classrooms alone. The highest return on investment lies earlier, in the home, in the first years of life, with caregivers as a child’s first teachers. Early and family-centred literacy builds the foundation for learning before a child ever enters school. It’s cost-effective, scalable, and proven to shift outcomes. This is not a short-term fix. It’s a long-term solution. Partner with us. Invest early. Transform literacy outcomes.
2 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/4
Have you registered yet? We’re going live today at 17:00. Join the 5th Men’s Literacy Imbizo as we explore the power of a man’s voice in early literacy and why it matters for every child. Be part of the conversation. Save your spot now. Register now: https://streamyard.com/watch/Y89F4Uu5hZss
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
Have you registered yet? We’re going live today at 17:00. Join the 5th Men’s Literacy Imbizo as we explore the power of a man’s voice in early literacy and why it matters for every child. Be part of the conversation. Save your spot now. Register now: https://streamyard.com/watch/Y89F4Uu5hZss
8 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
We showed up, we read, and we celebrated. Nal’ibali joined the 32nd EC Provincial Freedom Day celebrations in Ndlambe Municipality, Alexandria (eMnyameni), thanks to the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Freedom lives in every story told and every child who reads. Our mascot Mfundo and Dr Zakaza brought the energy, reminding us to cherish our identity through stories and keep access to reading growing. This is our story. This is our freedom.
We showed up, we read, and we celebrated. Nal’ibali joined the 32nd EC Provincial Freedom Day celebrations in Ndlambe Municipality, Alexandria (eMnyameni), thanks to the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Freedom lives in every story told and every child who reads. Our mascot Mfundo and Dr Zakaza brought the energy, reminding us to cherish our identity through stories and keep access to reading growing. This is our story. This is our freedom.
We showed up, we read, and we celebrated. Nal’ibali joined the 32nd EC Provincial Freedom Day celebrations in Ndlambe Municipality, Alexandria (eMnyameni), thanks to the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Freedom lives in every story told and every child who reads. Our mascot Mfundo and Dr Zakaza brought the energy, reminding us to cherish our identity through stories and keep access to reading growing. This is our story. This is our freedom.
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
We showed up, we read, and we celebrated. Nal’ibali joined the 32nd EC Provincial Freedom Day celebrations in Ndlambe Municipality, Alexandria (eMnyameni), thanks to the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Freedom lives in every story told and every child who reads. Our mascot Mfundo and Dr Zakaza brought the energy, reminding us to cherish our identity through stories and keep access to reading growing. This is our story. This is our freedom.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
A story shared is a gift that keeps giving. Thank you to children’s author Faith Maluleke for donating N’weti: Kokwani’s Surprise Party, a joyful story of family, love and togetherness. Through our reading clubs, Storytime sessions and community spaces, this story will come alive for children in fun, interactive ways. It reminds us to value our elders, cherish our roots, and hold onto the moments that matter. Reading together is how we pass on love, values and belonging. #Nalibali #BookDonation #AfricanStories #LiteracyForAll #ReadingChangesLives
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
A story shared is a gift that keeps giving. Thank you to children’s author Faith Maluleke for donating N’weti: Kokwani’s Surprise Party, a joyful story of family, love and togetherness. Through our reading clubs, Storytime sessions and community spaces, this story will come alive for children in fun, interactive ways. It reminds us to value our elders, cherish our roots, and hold onto the moments that matter. Reading together is how we pass on love, values and belonging. #Nalibali #BookDonation #AfricanStories #LiteracyForAll #ReadingChangesLives
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/4

Become a Hero for Literacy

Join Nal’ibali as a volunteer and help spark a lifelong love of reading in children. Together, we can build a brighter future—one story at a time.

Donate Now