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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

Community Media Back Story Powered School Project

Community media are backing the children of South Africa. Five radio stations across rural Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal have
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Latest news

Using Theatre, Play and Comedy to Encourage a Love of Reading

The performing arts has always had a difficult time proving its value in an education system that prioritises maths and
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Latest news

Roll Out The Red Carpet For African Languages Instead Of Pulling The Rug Out…

Earlier this year in Paris, UNESCO hosted the official global launch of 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages. This
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Latest news

Nal’ibali Offers Free Public Performances To Encourage National Library Usage

Libraries across South Africa will be the scenes of a new community activation in 2019. Nal’ibali, the reading for enjoyment
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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.
  • Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
  • Our Word of the Month. “By the time I was six, I was inscribed in the children’s library… and without that library, I don’t think I would ever have been a writer.” — Nadine Gordimer From a young reader to a Nobel Prize-winning author, this powerful reminder shows just how life-changing access to books and libraries can be. Let’s continue to open doors to stories for every child. Image: University of Cape Town Libraries Special Collections.
  • 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
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Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
Today, we celebrate the heart of Nal’ibali, the people who bring stories to life every day. From our dedicated Nal’ibali staff, from those who develop and translate stories to those who distribute our newspaper supplements, to our SEF Literacy Facilitators, FUNda Leaders and Story Sparkers, community reading club volunteers and coordinators, ECD practitioners, library staff, and school teachers, you are all doing the important work of building a nation of readers. Through your commitment, children are discovering the joy of stories, growing their confidence, and finding their voices. This is not easy work. It takes care, consistency, and deep dedication. But its impact lasts a lifetime. On this Workers’ Day, we honour you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing stories, and for shaping brighter futures, one child and one story at a time. Happy Workers’ Day 🇿🇦 #Nalibali #WorkersDay #ReadingForJoy #LiteracyForAll #StoryPower
9 hours ago
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1/4
Our Word of the Month. “By the time I was six, I was inscribed in the children’s library… and without that library, I don’t think I would ever have been a writer.” — Nadine Gordimer From a young reader to a Nobel Prize-winning author, this powerful reminder shows just how life-changing access to books and libraries can be. Let’s continue to open doors to stories for every child. Image: University of Cape Town Libraries Special Collections.
@nalibalisa
@nalibalisa
•
Follow
Our Word of the Month. “By the time I was six, I was inscribed in the children’s library… and without that library, I don’t think I would ever have been a writer.” — Nadine Gordimer From a young reader to a Nobel Prize-winning author, this powerful reminder shows just how life-changing access to books and libraries can be. Let’s continue to open doors to stories for every child. Image: University of Cape Town Libraries Special Collections.
12 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
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.
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
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
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/4

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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.

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