Through storytelling, play-based activities, and reading aloud, children were encouraged to embrace their mother tongue and develop a love for reading at the Nal’ibali Literacy Month Festival in Sweetwaters.
Sweetwaters, South Africa (01 October 2024) – Under the umbrella concept that ‘All Languages Matter’, the community of Sweetwaters in the Eastern Cape got to experience the joy of literature, stories and reading in their mother language.
The Nal’ibali Literacy Month Festival in Sweetwaters, Eastern Cape, celebrated the beauty of African languages, culture, and stories. In partnership with Equal Education, the festival provided a joyful and immersive experience for children, parents, and teachers.
The festival featured storytelling and play-based learning activities, including singing and dancing for 145 children from the Sweetwaters township.
The celebration got off to a great start with kids participating in singing and dancing, led by Nal’ibali Eastern Cape Coordinator Dr Nompucuko Zakaza.
In addition to sharing iintsomi (folklore) with the children, the Nal’ibali team read stories from the anthology and reading supplement Nal’ibali children’s stories.
Children were also encouraged to read aloud in front of the assembled audience and demonstrated exceptional understanding, enthusiasm, and reading skills.
“It takes a community to raise a child. We hope that this event will develop and make a long-lasting impact on Sweetwaters’ children. Hopefully, when we return with Nal’ibali, there will be more children,” Siya Ncetani from Equal Education remarked.
The festival not only celebrated literacy but also strengthened the community bond, as parents and teachers joined together to support the children’s learning.
By distributing reading materials and early reading handbooks, the Nal’ibali team ensured that the seeds of a reading revolution would continue to grow long after the festival ended.
Sources: Nal’ibali
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