These 2 KZN Authors are Helping Children Grow Up Money-Smart in isiZulu

Khethu Xulu Isikoqokoqo and Mpume Ngcobo. Photo Credit: Supplied by Khethukuthula Xulu

KZN authors Nompumelelo Ngcobo and Khethukuthula MaLembethe Xulu have crafted a beautiful series of isiZulu children’s books that make learning about money, savings, and the economy feel natural, empowering, and relatable.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (14 July 2026) – When it comes to teaching children the value of money, most financial experts agree: the earlier we start, the better. Understanding what it means to earn an allowance, buy a treat at the tuckshop, or watch savings grow are vital lessons that shape a child’s future.

It is this very sentiment that inspired two talented KwaZulu-Natal authors, Nompumelelo Ngcobo and Khethukuthula MaLembethe Xulu. Together, they have written and published a beautiful series of isiZulu books designed to introduce financial literacy to children in their own home language.

Their books, Isikoqokoqo sikaQamata (Qamata’s Piggy Bank) and uQamata noKhenzo: Nezimfihlo Zomnotho Wase-Afrika (Qamata and Khenzo: The Secrets of Africa’s Economic State), offer a wonderfully refreshing, locally grounded approach.

By sharing these lessons in isiZulu, the authors are doing so much more than teaching money skills. They are celebrating indigenous languages as powerful tools for knowledge, identity, and lifelong empowerment.

At a time when financial education is increasingly recognised as a critical life skill, they offer a refreshing, locally grounded approach.

Isikoqokoqo sikaQamata introduces young readers to the concept of saving, demonstrating that money management begins with discipline, intention and understanding.

It is also part two of Xulu’s first book Isikoqokoqo Sami Sokuqala (My First Piggy Bank). Through storytelling that blends play, love and everyday life, the book shows that saving is not just about money. It is about building a future, nurturing dreams and developing confidence from an early age.

Meanwhile, uQamata noKhenzo: Nezimfihlo Zomnotho Wase-Afrika takes children on a broader journey into the African economy. From rural fields to the stock exchange, the book explores how everyday activities, including small businesses, taxis, markets and financial systems, are interconnected. It teaches children that the economy is alive, dynamic and rooted in community practices, values and relationships.

Ngcobo and Xulu get that children’s books do so much more than just tell stories. They shape who our children become, broaden their horizons, and gently prepare them for the future.

What makes this series so special is the beautiful way it brings together money smarts and rich cultural heritage. Big concepts like saving, trade, stokvels, and community wealth aren’t taught from a distance; they are brought to life through the everyday experiences of African communities, using the very language that feels like home to young Zulu readers.

By doing this, the authors also challenge the old idea that finance and economics only belong in English. Instead, they are putting indigenous languages at the heart of learning, growth, and bright futures.

Both authors bring their expertise to this children’s financial literacy book series. Ngcobo, a researcher in public policy and social development, brings academic depth and a strong understanding of how knowledge can drive social change. Xulu, a seasoned journalist, complements this with a storytelling approach that makes complex ideas engaging and accessible for young readers.

Now, they are rallying to get these books in the hands of children, particularly those growing up in contexts of economic inequality, to ensure they’re empowered to navigate the future.

To help the authors raise funds for printing and distribution to rural areas, visit their crowdfunding campaign here.