African Classics

The-day-Gogo-went-to-vote

The Day Gogo Went to Vote by Elinor Sisulu

“The Day Gogo Went To Vote” by Elinor Sisulu is a well loved classic children’s book.

As South African head to the polls in May, this children’s book provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach young readers about democracy. The timeless tale of Thembi and her 100 year old great grand Gogo is as enchanting today as it was 20 years ago when it was first published. A true African gem!

Tafelberg

This beautiful picture book gives a child’s-eye view of a milestone in South African history. 

When Thembi’s parents announce that black South Africans will be allowed to vote for the first time on 27 April 1994, Thembi’s 100-year-old Gogo, who hasn’t left the house for years, says she will go out and cast her vote – and she insists on taking Thembi along! 

Also available in: 

English (The day Gogo went to vote), 
Afrikaans (Die dag toe Gogo gaan stem het), 
Setswana (Letsatsi le Nkoko a ileng ditlhophong), 
Sesotho (Mohla Gogo a neng a ilo vouta), 
isiXhosa (Mhla uGogo waya kuvota) and 
isiZulu (Mhla ugogo eya kovota).

About the Author

Elinor Sisulu was born in 1958 in Harare, Zimbabwe. She studied history, English literature, development studies and feminist theory.
She married Max Sisulu in 1986 and lived in the Netherlands, the UK, and Zambia before moving to South Africa in 1991.
Elinor is a political analyst and an author. She published a children’s book in 1996, The day Gogo went to vote, and in 2002 a biography, Walter and Albertina Sisulu: In our lifetime.
 
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