By bringing the joy of stories to children and families in their own languages, Nal’ibali has earned a well-deserved LITASA Award, celebrating a mission that is planting the seeds for a brighter, more literate South Africa.
Johannesburg, South Africa (09 September 2026) – A nation that values reading starts with nurturing a love for it purely for enjoyment. This belief forms the very foundation of Nal’ibali, a much-loved literacy campaign that sparks children’s potential through storytelling, reading and interactive activities.
It is this very mission and sustained contribution to advancing literacy that earned Nal’ibali the Significant Contribution to Literacy Award – the highest honour bestowed by the Literacy Association of South Africa (LITASA)!
The award was presented on Sunday, 6 September 2026, at the 21st Annual LITASA Conference in Johannesburg, bringing together literacy practitioners, researchers, educators and organisations committed to strengthening literacy in South Africa.
The Nal’ibali team accepted the award in a memorable moment of celebration, with delegates singing along to the Nal’ibali jingle during the presentation. The honour shines a spotlight on Nal’ibali’s contribution to growing a culture of reading and storytelling, particularly by making reading for enjoyment more accessible to children, families and communities across the country and in South Africa’s languages.
“This award is a powerful affirmation of the importance of building a culture of reading through sustained, collective action. Literacy is not the responsibility of one organisation or sector. It requires all of us to work together to ensure that children have access to books, stories and opportunities to develop a lifelong love of reading. We are deeply honoured by this recognition and remain committed to the work ahead,” said Etienne Bramley, Head of Impact, Partnerships and Programmes at Nal’ibali.
The achievement is not only a milestone for the organisation but also a significant moment for the broader literacy sector. It highlights the importance of sustained, collaborative efforts to address South Africa’s literacy challenges and build a society where children have regular opportunities to read, listen to and enjoy stories.
As South Africa marks Literacy Month and Heritage Month, the award also underscores the role of reading and storytelling in strengthening language, identity, heritage and a lifelong love of books.
Grateful and newly motivated, Nal’ibali remains committed to working with communities, schools, families, government, civil society, and partners to ensure more children have access to stories and develop the confidence and habit of reading for enjoyment.
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