Morena ke Mang?

Morena ke Mang?

Language: Sesotho (Southern Sotho)

Genre: Animal Stories

Age range: 5 - 11

Author(s): Puku initiative brings Teachers into the Digital Age, Prof MV Mzamane Commemoration, Niki Daly: A Tribute to a great South African children’s author, Elinor Sisulu Receives SA Literary Award, Puku Visits HRH Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Comrades runner Mpho Ngoepe is racing for literacy, and he's speaking our language,  #RacingForOurLanguages: What's next?, Tribute to Eusebuis McKaiser, Stir the Dust, Enthusiastic Unisa academic races for indigenous languages, Webinars 2021: The Wonderful Wisdom of Our Words, Thank you to our PESP project independent contractors for their valued contribution this year - names and profiles attached, Ikhatalogu Yethu - Puku’s catalogue of 100 recommended isiXhosa books is now listed on our website, What is the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize?, Find out more about Biblionef, a valued partner of Puku.co.za, Watch our Video introducing the Puku Children's Literature Foundation, South Africa Congratulates Puku Children’s Literature Foundation for Winning a Prestigious 2021 UNESCO International Award, AN INVITATION TO A VIRTUAL EVENT: 'Paul Sithole, The Forgotten Scientist' 20 September 2021: 6pm (SAST), Puku Children’s Literature Foundation Described as an “Excellent Ambassador for Literacy” at Handover Ceremony for 2021 UNESCO Laureates, BREAKING NEWS: South African Organisation, Puku, Wins 2021 UNESCO Award, Puku’s winning UNESCO project – Read all about it! 'Using digital technologies to promote children's literature in South Africa's indigenous languages', South Africa’s Puku Children’s Literature Foundation Wins Prestigious 2021 UNESCO International Award, Ikhatalogu Yethu: The list of 100 books recommended by the isiXhosa editorial team, A Position Paper on Prescribed Literature (Setworks) of South Africa’s Major Curricular Bodies: CAPS, IEB, Cambridge and IB, A YouTube Course in isiXhosa on Reviewing Children’s Literature as a Template for Other Indigenous Languages, The Role of Children’s Literature in Preserving and Promoting our Indigenous Languages, Highlights from the isiNdibele webinar / Tuthuko emntwaneni ngelimi lakhe lesiNdebele, Highlights from the Tshivenda webinar ‘Tshivenda manwalo a vhana’, Highlights of the Sepedi webinar: TlhatloŠo ya Sepedi ngwaneng | A discussion on preserving indigenous languages, Highlights from the isiZulu webinar Iqhaza lezincwadi zezingane ekugcineni ulimi lwesizulu | A discussion on preserving isiZulu, Highlights from the Sesotho webinar ‘Monate wa ho Bala ka Puo ya Letswele: Na Dingolwa tsa Bana di Lekane?’, Highlights from the Siswati webinar ‘Temibhalo yebantfwana kutfuftukisa Siswati’, Highlights from the Xitsonga webinar 'Garingani wa Garingani', Highlights from the Setswana webinar 'Ra reng ka Setswana mo ngwaneng', A personal reflection about the launch of the first ever N/uu children’s book '!Qhoi n|a Tjhoi / Skilpad en Volstruis / Tortoise and Ostrich', Open invitation to our webinar in Sesotho – Friday 25th June, Highlights from the 'Conversations about isiXhosa Children’s Books Catalogue' webinar - a report back in isiXhosa and English, Open invitation to our webinar in Tshivenda - 30 June 2021, Open invitation to our webinar in Siswati - 24 June 2021, Open invitation to our webinar in isiNdebele – Tuesday 22 June, Launch of the first book ever to be written in N/uu takes place today – purchase the book here, on the puku.co.za website, Open invite to our Sepedi webinar - 25th May 2021, Open invitation to our webinar in Xitsonga – Thursday 20th May, Open invitation to our webinar in Setswana – Tuesday 18th May, Open invitation to our first webinar in isiZulu, The Puku Children’s Foundation Celebrates Katrina Esau On World Book Day, 23 April 2021, Open invitation to our webinar in isiXhosa - 22 April, National Book Week, Listen to a Book Circle Podcast with Siya Masuku, LITASA Conferene 2020: There is no frigate like a book: Literacy and children’s literature in contemporary Africa 19 Sep 2020, International Literacy Day, Puku Receives New 'Dubai Cares' Award, It's National Storytelling Day!, Puku and Hayley Joy Fundraising Partnership Launch., Why We Should Be Reading Picture Books To Our Children, Reflections On An Afternoon In Coyaba, The Guardian's Children’s and Teens Roundup, Puku presents Moshe by Mogale Sedibe, View: Comments on Trevor Noah's book for children, South African Book Fair Have New Venue., Black Stories Matter, The Guardian's Picture Book Round-up..., Mosidi by Lorato Trok, Trevor Noah's 'Born a Crime' book now out for children, Puku - Using Children’s Books To Save Languages, My Language, My Heritage, Shortlists announced for 2019 Media24 book prizes, Picture Books to Enrapture Young Readers, Turning Kids into Bookworms - children's laureates share their tips, South African writers nominated for the 2019 Nommo Awards., Puku welcomes Dr. Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang, African Classics, Finalists announced for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature 2019, Thoko Vuka! Thoko Muka! Zimbabwean children's book now out., BOLOGNA PRIZE FOR THE BEST CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS OF THE YEAR, Calling all illustrators!, Africa’s Cause Must Triumph: The Collected Writings of AP Mda Robert Edgar and Luyanda ka Msumza, International Mother Language Day, New Young Adult SFF Books Coming Out!, Indigenous languages - are they fading from African households?, New Cookbook Offers an Opportunity to Engage Young Readers, Books for pure reading pleasure..., 'Mpumi’s Magic Beads' at Abantu Book Festival, 'Chasing Shadows' by Palesa Manaleng, Puku Welcomes New Online Seller of Children's Books, African languages are at a disadvantage with Voice Recognition Technology, The Roots of Early Literacy Lie In Rock Art, SA’s Youngest Authors Get Audiences Excited to Read, Black Friday Promotions with Supernova Magazine!, Score with Ethnikids this Black Friday!, The African Book Trust is giving away books!, Coming Soon! Elevation 3: The Fiery Spiral, Book Launch Celebrates Albertina Sisulu, Save up to 60% on Supernova!, Why political books for kids are becoming more popular., Authors And Artists Gather to Celebrate Gcina Mhlophe's 60th Birthday., Jeppe Girls High School Honours Ruth First With Their Stories, School Library and Reading Summit a Memorable Event., Children’s book, Frog and the birdsong, now available in five local languages, Book Dash mobilises for more books this October!, Children's Book Shares Experience of Immigration., Gcina Mhlophe Gifts Her Special Day To Storytelling., Puku Partners with Gauteng Department of Education to host Reading Summit, Join Puku In Celebrating Gcina Mhlophe's Birthday!, The Nozincwadi Festival – an authentic African experience, Enter the Roald Dahl Imaginormous Challenge!, Picture Books Get Adults Hooked On Reading, 2019 Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature deadline looms!, Why African Storytelling Needs To Be Preserved., Passing On The Baton of Storytelling., YA Novels Explore the Truths On Internet Friendships, I-National Book Fair Blog, Celebrating National Book Week in the Heart of the Kalahari!, Review your face children's book and win!, Invitation to a Literacy Day Discussion in Cape Town., Open Book Festival, 5-9 September 2018, Cape Town., The South African Book Fair, 2018, Johannesburg., Attend The Book Launch: 'Songbird and Other Stories', Promoting Literacy At Home With Nal'ibali., The Mr. Men are celebrating Chinese New Year!, Art Workshop With Award-Winning Illustrator, Joan Rankin., Madiba Magic children's book celebrates Nelson Mandela's centenary, Changing Lives Through Books - Interview with Biblionef's, Jean Williams!, Media24 Books 2018 Prize Winners Announced!, Cover2Cover Books release latest teen title & announce new-look website., 15 Sci-Fi Books To Read For The Fun Of It..., Young writer from Kempton Park publishes book on bullying., Great reads for Young Adult book lovers., Kids Etc. - How to write for children., Interview With 'Literacies' Activist, Theresa Giorza., 2018 Writing Competition Against Racism launched., Afrikaans - whose language is it?, June Events: children's book launch, Cape Town., Help Older Kids Develop a Sense of Imagination with these 8 tips, Why You Should be Reading Books Every Day., Syafunda Digital Library Transforms Education, Schools belong to the community, let parents take over., Diverse books matched with classic stories, perfect for today's readers., The importance of languages in decolonising education., South African illustrator wins Children’s Africana Book Awards, Why mother tongue has to be embraced now - Q&A with Puku's Lorato Trok., TED Talks for lifelong readers, Professor encourages students to ‘Work hard, think big and make mistakes’, Illustrations that continue to remind us of freedom..., Now Out: New Book To Empower Young Female Readers., Lending books to friends - what are the rules?, Find more books written by Gcina Mhlophe., SCBWI Workshop: Writing for second-language readers, Baby Riav and the Power of Reading, Part 2., UMSITHO WAMABALI EPUKU 2018, Is classroom storytelling a dying art?, Grahamstown, 19-21 April, 2018., 2018 PROGRAMME, Nal'ibali adds Setswana and Xitsonga stories to their list., Transform Reluctant Readers Into Avid Bookworms..., What will it take to improve global literacy?, Dr Seuss illustrations are a great way to get kids talking about books, Picture Books, the springboard to visual literacy, Education Expert Calls For More Help In Foundation Phase, Executive Mayor Highlights Library in KwaNobuhle Uitenhage, South African Library Week 2018, National Library Week comes to Mossel Bay, The most anticipated YA novel for 2018, Puku Celebrates Phenomenal Woman Rosina Sedibane Modiba., New 'Little Miss' book launched for International Woman’s Day, 2018, 'Story Powered Schools' project provides vital literacy support, South African Sign Language (SASL) recognised as a mother tongue language & matric subject, All South Africans Responsible For Country's Reading Crisis, Tshwane Public Libraries take Mother Tongue Further, Now is the time to promote linguistic and cultural diversity., Maskew Miller Longman Writing Workshops now on., News: IBBY South Africa Announces Honour List Books ?, SCBWI Event - Writing for Television!, Creating good study habits at home., How to engage readers who think books are boring..., International Love Stories perfect for Teen Readers, Interview with South African YA author, Sally Partridge., Mothertongue literacy ensures learning success., What are readers in Africa thinking?, Should there be more autistic characters in children’s books?, Poetry helps readers to grasp the deeper meaning behind the words they write., It's World Read Aloud Day!, Nal’ibali highlights 'World Read Aloud Day' with local children's author, Zukiswa Wanner., Forts & Fairies chats to children's author of 'ANGRY OWL'., Celebrate World Read Aloud Day., Call out for a South African 'Multicultural Children's Book Day'., The success story of renowned children's author, Sindiwe Magona., Study shows that the villains in children's books are almost always male., Picture books without text, improve young brain development., Are fairytales harmful and should they be banned?, Puku Wishes All Readers A Festive Holiday Season!, Brain Picking's loveliest children's books of 2017., Soweto Book Festival Is A Literary Mix Of Love And Magic, NB-Uitgewers are celebrating author Louise Smit and Haas Das!, Abantu Book Festival, December 2017, saw the children flock in., Exciting new isiZulu and Sesotho books out now!, Literacy survey reveals 80% of Grade 4 students can't read, Times LIVE, Supernova Magazine's December Holiday Giveaways!, Winner of National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, 2017, announced., SCBWI End-of-Year Event, This year's Sanlam Awards, celebrate the best in SA Youth Literature, Durban is named Literary Capital of Africa., Exciting books to carry on the thrills of Halloween..., Children's books about water that are still relevant today., Tafelberg & Sanlam announce the Youth Literature Award winners for 2017!, Youth Literature Award winners soon to be announced., Nal'ibali Announces Story Bosso Winner, 2017, FunDza's Writer of the Week, Children's Book About Kalk Bay Fishermen Returns To Shelves, Children's Book Celebrates Life of Renowned Polka-Dot Artist, Puku’s look at books - October reads for ages 3 to 5 years…, Read the latest Jade Khan Mystery from FunDza!, SCBWI Seminar: Children’s and Young Adult Books, 2017 National Book Award Finalists revealed, Returning Nature's Words To Children's Books, The importance of reviewing children’s books in African languages, Thanks to volunteers, kids get reading, Local Publisher Speaks out on South Africa's Reading Culture., Discussing The Power of Stories in Education and Literacy, Botlhokwa jwa go seka-seka dibuka tsa bana tsa Setswana, Future Nation Schools Book Fair & Literary Festival, Baby Riav and the Power of Reading., Puku Goes Live!, Julia Donaldson Brings South Africa's ‘UGLY FIVE’ to Life, Digital writing - is the Internet changing the way we write?, Giving heroism a new face with a South African identity, SCBWI Workshop: Collage, by Joan Rankin, Sindiwe Magona Catalogue, The Day Gogo Went to Vote, Puku Story Festival 2017, 25 Children’s Books to Teach Your Kids Meaningful Values, PUKU Afri Kids, Books to help kids understand what it’s like to be a refugee, Heavy screen time alters young brains, What does it mean to be literate in the 21st century?, Learning Tools and Puku Story Festival 2016 - Dr Sindiwe Magona

Publisher(s): Puku initiative brings Teachers into the Digital Age

Prof MV Mzamane Commemoration

Niki Daly: A Tribute to a great South African children’s author

Elinor Sisulu Receives SA Literary Award

Puku Visits HRH Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

Comrades runner Mpho Ngoepe is racing for literacy, and he’s speaking our language

 #RacingForOurLanguages: What’s next?

Tribute to Eusebuis McKaiser

Stir the Dust

Enthusiastic Unisa academic races for indigenous languages

Webinars 2021: The Wonderful Wisdom of Our Words

Thank you to our PESP project independent contractors for their valued contribution this year – names and profiles attached

Ikhatalogu Yethu – Puku’s catalogue of 100 recommended isiXhosa books is now listed on our website

What is the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize?

Find out more about Biblionef, a valued partner of Puku.co.za

Watch our Video introducing the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation

South Africa Congratulates Puku Children’s Literature Foundation for Winning a Prestigious 2021 UNESCO International Award

AN INVITATION TO A VIRTUAL EVENT: ‘Paul Sithole, The Forgotten Scientist’ 20 September 2021: 6pm (SAST)

Puku Children’s Literature Foundation Described as an “Excellent Ambassador for Literacy” at Handover Ceremony for 2021 UNESCO Laureates

BREAKING NEWS: South African Organisation, Puku, Wins 2021 UNESCO Award

Puku’s winning UNESCO project – Read all about it! ‘Using digital technologies to promote children’s literature in South Africa’s indigenous languages’

South Africa’s Puku Children’s Literature Foundation Wins Prestigious 2021 UNESCO International Award

Ikhatalogu Yethu: The list of 100 books recommended by the isiXhosa editorial team

A Position Paper on Prescribed Literature (Setworks) of South Africa’s Major Curricular Bodies: CAPS, IEB, Cambridge and IB

A YouTube Course in isiXhosa on Reviewing Children’s Literature as a Template for Other Indigenous Languages

The Role of Children’s Literature in Preserving and Promoting our Indigenous Languages

Highlights from the isiNdibele webinar / Tuthuko emntwaneni ngelimi lakhe lesiNdebele

Highlights from the Tshivenda webinar ‘Tshivenda manwalo a vhana’

Highlights of the Sepedi webinar: TlhatloŠo ya Sepedi ngwaneng | A discussion on preserving indigenous languages

Highlights from the isiZulu webinar Iqhaza lezincwadi zezingane ekugcineni ulimi lwesizulu | A discussion on preserving isiZulu

Highlights from the Sesotho webinar ‘Monate wa ho Bala ka Puo ya Letswele: Na Dingolwa tsa Bana di Lekane?’

Highlights from the Siswati webinar ‘Temibhalo yebantfwana kutfuftukisa Siswati’

Highlights from the Xitsonga webinar ‘Garingani wa Garingani’

Highlights from the Setswana webinar ‘Ra reng ka Setswana mo ngwaneng’

A personal reflection about the launch of the first ever N/uu children’s book ‘!Qhoi n|a Tjhoi / Skilpad en Volstruis / Tortoise and Ostrich’

Open invitation to our webinar in Sesotho – Friday 25th June

Highlights from the ‘Conversations about isiXhosa Children’s Books Catalogue’ webinar – a report back in isiXhosa and English

Open invitation to our webinar in Tshivenda – 30 June 2021

Open invitation to our webinar in Siswati – 24 June 2021

Open invitation to our webinar in isiNdebele – Tuesday 22 June

Launch of the first book ever to be written in N/uu takes place today – purchase the book here, on the puku.co.za website

Open invite to our Sepedi webinar – 25th May 2021

Open invitation to our webinar in Xitsonga – Thursday 20th May

Open invitation to our webinar in Setswana – Tuesday 18th May

Open invitation to our first webinar in isiZulu

The Puku Children’s Foundation Celebrates Katrina Esau On World Book Day, 23 April 2021

Open invitation to our webinar in isiXhosa – 22 April

National Book Week

Listen to a Book Circle Podcast with Siya Masuku

LITASA Conferene 2020: There is no frigate like a book: Literacy and children’s literature in contemporary Africa 19 Sep 2020

International Literacy Day

Puku Receives New ‘Dubai Cares’ Award

It’s National Storytelling Day!

Puku and Hayley Joy Fundraising Partnership Launch.

Why We Should Be Reading Picture Books To Our Children

Reflections On An Afternoon In Coyaba

The Guardian’s Children’s and Teens Roundup

Puku presents Moshe by Mogale Sedibe

View: Comments on Trevor Noah’s book for children

South African Book Fair Have New Venue.

Black Stories Matter

The Guardian’s Picture Book Round-up…

Mosidi by Lorato Trok

Trevor Noah’s ‘Born a Crime’ book now out for children

Puku – Using Children’s Books To Save Languages

My Language, My Heritage

Shortlists announced for 2019 Media24 book prizes

Picture Books to Enrapture Young Readers

Turning Kids into Bookworms – children’s laureates share their tips

South African writers nominated for the 2019 Nommo Awards.

Puku welcomes Dr. Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang

African Classics

Finalists announced for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature 2019

Thoko Vuka! Thoko Muka! Zimbabwean children’s book now out.

BOLOGNA PRIZE FOR THE BEST CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS OF THE YEAR

Calling all illustrators!

Africa’s Cause Must Triumph: The Collected Writings of AP Mda Robert Edgar and Luyanda ka Msumza

International Mother Language Day

New Young Adult SFF Books Coming Out!

Indigenous languages – are they fading from African households?

New Cookbook Offers an Opportunity to Engage Young Readers

Books for pure reading pleasure…

‘Mpumi’s Magic Beads’ at Abantu Book Festival

‘Chasing Shadows’ by Palesa Manaleng

Puku Welcomes New Online Seller of Children’s Books

African languages are at a disadvantage with Voice Recognition Technology

The Roots of Early Literacy Lie In Rock Art

SA’s Youngest Authors Get Audiences Excited to Read

Black Friday Promotions with Supernova Magazine!

Score with Ethnikids this Black Friday!

The African Book Trust is giving away books!

Coming Soon! Elevation 3: The Fiery Spiral

Book Launch Celebrates Albertina Sisulu

Save up to 60% on Supernova!

Why political books for kids are becoming more popular.

Authors And Artists Gather to Celebrate Gcina Mhlophe’s 60th Birthday.

Jeppe Girls High School Honours Ruth First With Their Stories

School Library and Reading Summit a Memorable Event.

Children’s book, Frog and the birdsong, now available in five local languages

Book Dash mobilises for more books this October!

Children’s Book Shares Experience of Immigration.

Gcina Mhlophe Gifts Her Special Day To Storytelling.

Puku Partners with Gauteng Department of Education to host Reading Summit

Join Puku In Celebrating Gcina Mhlophe’s Birthday!

The Nozincwadi Festival – an authentic African experience

Enter the Roald Dahl Imaginormous Challenge!

Picture Books Get Adults Hooked On Reading

2019 Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature deadline looms!

Why African Storytelling Needs To Be Preserved.

Passing On The Baton of Storytelling.

YA Novels Explore the Truths On Internet Friendships

I-National Book Fair Blog

Celebrating National Book Week in the Heart of the Kalahari!

Review your face children’s book and win!

Invitation to a Literacy Day Discussion in Cape Town.

Open Book Festival, 5-9 September 2018, Cape Town.

The South African Book Fair, 2018, Johannesburg.

Attend The Book Launch: ‘Songbird and Other Stories’

Promoting Literacy At Home With Nal’ibali.

The Mr. Men are celebrating Chinese New Year!

Art Workshop With Award-Winning Illustrator, Joan Rankin.

Madiba Magic children’s book celebrates Nelson Mandela’s centenary

Changing Lives Through Books – Interview with Biblionef’s, Jean Williams!

Media24 Books 2018 Prize Winners Announced!

Cover2Cover Books release latest teen title & announce new-look website.

15 Sci-Fi Books To Read For The Fun Of It…

Young writer from Kempton Park publishes book on bullying.

Great reads for Young Adult book lovers.

Kids Etc. – How to write for children.

Interview With ‘Literacies’ Activist, Theresa Giorza.

2018 Writing Competition Against Racism launched.

Afrikaans – whose language is it?

June Events: children’s book launch, Cape Town.

Help Older Kids Develop a Sense of Imagination with these 8 tips

Why You Should be Reading Books Every Day.

Syafunda Digital Library Transforms Education

Schools belong to the community, let parents take over.

Diverse books matched with classic stories, perfect for today’s readers.

The importance of languages in decolonising education.

South African illustrator wins Children’s Africana Book Awards

Why mother tongue has to be embraced now – Q&A with Puku’s Lorato Trok.

TED Talks for lifelong readers

Professor encourages students to ‘Work hard, think big and make mistakes’

Illustrations that continue to remind us of freedom…

Now Out: New Book To Empower Young Female Readers.

Lending books to friends – what are the rules?

Find more books written by Gcina Mhlophe.

SCBWI Workshop: Writing for second-language readers

Baby Riav and the Power of Reading, Part 2.

UMSITHO WAMABALI EPUKU 2018

Is classroom storytelling a dying art?

Grahamstown, 19-21 April, 2018.

2018 PROGRAMME

Nal’ibali adds Setswana and Xitsonga stories to their list.

Transform Reluctant Readers Into Avid Bookworms…

What will it take to improve global literacy?

Dr Seuss illustrations are a great way to get kids talking about books

Picture Books, the springboard to visual literacy

Education Expert Calls For More Help In Foundation Phase

Executive Mayor Highlights Library in KwaNobuhle Uitenhage

South African Library Week 2018

National Library Week comes to Mossel Bay

The most anticipated YA novel for 2018

Puku Celebrates Phenomenal Woman Rosina Sedibane Modiba.

New ‘Little Miss’ book launched for International Woman’s Day, 2018

‘Story Powered Schools’ project provides vital literacy support

South African Sign Language (SASL) recognised as a mother tongue language & matric subject

All South Africans Responsible For Country’s Reading Crisis

Tshwane Public Libraries take Mother Tongue Further

Now is the time to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.

Maskew Miller Longman Writing Workshops now on.

News: IBBY South Africa Announces Honour List Books ?

SCBWI Event – Writing for Television!

Creating good study habits at home.

How to engage readers who think books are boring…

International Love Stories perfect for Teen Readers

Interview with South African YA author, Sally Partridge.

Mothertongue literacy ensures learning success.

What are readers in Africa thinking?

Should there be more autistic characters in children’s books?

Poetry helps readers to grasp the deeper meaning behind the words they write.

It’s World Read Aloud Day!

Nal’ibali highlights ‘World Read Aloud Day’ with local children’s author, Zukiswa Wanner.

Forts & Fairies chats to children’s author of ‘ANGRY OWL’.

Celebrate World Read Aloud Day.

Call out for a South African ‘Multicultural Children’s Book Day’.

The success story of renowned children’s author, Sindiwe Magona.

Study shows that the villains in children’s books are almost always male.

Picture books without text, improve young brain development.

Are fairytales harmful and should they be banned?

Puku Wishes All Readers A Festive Holiday Season!

Brain Picking’s loveliest children’s books of 2017.

Soweto Book Festival Is A Literary Mix Of Love And Magic

NB-Uitgewers are celebrating author Louise Smit and Haas Das!

Abantu Book Festival, December 2017, saw the children flock in.

Exciting new isiZulu and Sesotho books out now!

Literacy survey reveals 80% of Grade 4 students can’t read, Times LIVE

Supernova Magazine’s December Holiday Giveaways!

Winner of National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, 2017, announced.

SCBWI End-of-Year Event

This year’s Sanlam Awards, celebrate the best in SA Youth Literature

Durban is named Literary Capital of Africa.

Exciting books to carry on the thrills of Halloween…

Children’s books about water that are still relevant today.

Tafelberg & Sanlam announce the Youth Literature Award winners for 2017!

Youth Literature Award winners soon to be announced.

Nal’ibali Announces Story Bosso Winner, 2017

FunDza’s Writer of the Week

Children’s Book About Kalk Bay Fishermen Returns To Shelves

Children’s Book Celebrates Life of Renowned Polka-Dot Artist

Puku’s look at books – October reads for ages 3 to 5 years…

Read the latest Jade Khan Mystery from FunDza!

SCBWI Seminar: Children’s and Young Adult Books

2017 National Book Award Finalists revealed

Returning Nature’s Words To Children’s Books

The importance of reviewing children’s books in African languages

Thanks to volunteers, kids get reading

Local Publisher Speaks out on South Africa’s Reading Culture.

Discussing The Power of Stories in Education and Literacy

Botlhokwa jwa go seka-seka dibuka tsa bana tsa Setswana

Future Nation Schools Book Fair & Literary Festival

Baby Riav and the Power of Reading.

Puku Goes Live!

Julia Donaldson Brings South Africa’s ‘UGLY FIVE’ to Life

Digital writing – is the Internet changing the way we write?

Giving heroism a new face with a South African identity

SCBWI Workshop: Collage, by Joan Rankin

Sindiwe Magona Catalogue

The Day Gogo Went to Vote

Puku Story Festival 2017

25 Children’s Books to Teach Your Kids Meaningful Values

PUKU Afri Kids

Books to help kids understand what it’s like to be a refugee

Heavy screen time alters young brains

What does it mean to be literate in the 21st century?

Learning Tools

Puku Story Festival 2016 – Dr Sindiwe Magona

ISBN: 9781431421428

Price: R140.00

Kaufela diphofolo diafumanea dipaleng tsena tsa Africa, e ngotsoe ke mohlokomedi o moholo. Fumana ho e tsahalang ka Tau ha a kopana le Tlou: tseha le Sekolopata ha se louoa di phofolo di mametse mmino o monate. Ke diphofolo tse leshomi tse fumenehang Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe le Africa Boroa, de tsoana hantle ka litšoantšo ke Piet Grobler's.

Review

By: Puku initiative brings Teachers into the Digital Age

Posted on: March 25, 2024

An exciting new initiative by Puku and the ValueEd learning platform will train teachers on digital skills which are essential to navigating the plethora of internet-enabled technologies that will be native to future learners. The partnership between Puku and ValueEd is set to upskill a cohort of teachers by providing them access to the latest trends and insights in subjects that are beneficial to trainee teachers entering the 21st Century classroom. Courses on social media, emotional intelligence, bullying prevention and many others will be hosted by experienced speakers in real time allowing for authentic engagement with the subject-matters.

Puku as an advocate for literature and literacy in Mother-tongue languages sees this as a natural extension of the mandate to get more children reading. The 2023 Reading Panel Background Report noted that less than 50% of learners at Grade 1 have the required mastery of the alphabet to perform the necessary ‘decoding’ of oral comprehension by phonemic awareness to letter-sound recognition which is a pre-requisite of reading and later comprehension.

Furthermore based on research presented by the DSAC via the National Reading Barometer 2023 and from the National Reading Survey 2016 conducted by the former SA Book Development Council, it was found that whilst 93% of adults surveyed believe that reading to children is essential for improving school performance, only 52% of adults who live with children actually read with them. Puku felt there is a clear need for an intervention to remedy this deficiency at that level through the teaching professionals who society charges with imbuing literacy in our children.

Thus the first cohort of teachers for the inaugural sessions are ECD/Foundation Phase teaching candidates from Rhodes University.

One of the Academic course convenors at Rhodes said “…after the physical workshop Puku held here, the students are now much more aware of the importance of literacy as a way of igniting children’s imagination…children who are often distracted by other less-challenging media on smartphones and games…”

Executive Director of Puku, Elinor Sisulu envisioned a multi-layered approach with the digital upskilling forming an important part of of the journey to improving literacy for children, stating, ” Digital upskilling will have immediate benefits to the teachers who will be teaching learners in the ECD and Foundation phase. They will be more confident with digital tools and will contribute meaningfully to literacy by writing reviews of children’s books. These reviews will then be made available as part of the metadata of Children’s books that Puku catalogues and curates on the Puku website. Puku has been working on children’s book catalogues in mother-tongue languages in order to give – not just teachers- but parents, librarians, resellers and others in the book value chain, quality information on children’s books in a convenient way, through the Puku site and new portal currently in development. The partnership with ValueEd in providing these teachers with a world-class e-learning engagement platform is therefore a significant milestone.”

Puku is working on mother tongue language children’s book catalogues in partnership with the National Library of South Africa, UNISA, Biblionef and IBBY. The 100 recommended books have been identified for isiXhosa and SeTswana. Work on selection of the 100 best books in SeSotho is underway.

Managing Director of ValueEd, Mr Vikela Rankin was pleased to play a role in this innovative approach to tackling SA’s literacy crisis, noting, “ValueEd’s unique offering of course is well suited to teachers who will be going into a learning environment that has tech-savvy learners, kids with tablets and smartphones but also with more access to emotional tool-kits than ever before. Teaching these kids can be tough but it is incredibly rewarding. We at ValueEd pride ourselves in individual engagement with candidates on our platform and have pioneered merit-based learning with recognition from big corporates to SMMEs and individuals who wish to upskill themselves in a variety of skills and knowledge not easily found anywhere else and coached by well-versed individuals of exemplary pedigree.”

The Puku and ValueEd sessions for Teachers go live today 25th March, 2024 with more Universities, NGOs, SMME’s and self-employed individuals aiming to participate going forward.

More information on registration is available here

Review

By: Prof MV Mzamane Commemoration

Posted on: February 23, 2024

The late Professor Mbulelo Vizikhungo Mzamane was many things, including a senior advisor to former presidents Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki,& Jacob
Zuma. President Mandela described him as a “visionary leader and one of South Africa’s greatest intellectuals.”

On the literary front, multilingual African literature was his field and passion. He worked closely with African luminaries to inspire people of African descent the world over to read and write in their languages. With the legendary Ngugi Wa Thiong’o and Nawal El Saawadi, the three served as co-chairs of the initiative, “BUWA African Languages and Literatures into the 21st Century.”

Mzamane published extensively on African literature, heritage, and education. His scholarly research and works of fiction have been translated into several languages including German, French, Russian and Dutch. At the time of his passing, Mzamane was the Project Leader & Editor of his self-initiated project, the Encyclopaedia of South African Arts, Culture and Heritage (ESAACH),
what he called his last gift to South Africa.

A prolific storyteller who often went into schools the world over to share traditional African stories, he ensured all his books were accessible to the young adult audience (high schoolers and above). He also used a unique child-centred style to write the children’s book, The Race Between the Turtles and Cheetahs (Canberra, The Australian National University: The Herbert and Valmae Freilich Foundation, 2004).

Review

By: Niki Daly: A Tribute to a great South African children’s author

Posted on: February 8, 2024

By Lorato Trok

If you ask black South Africans who grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and possibly the 90s what their favourite South African children’s book is when they were growing up, they will probably tell you about their favourite African folktale that their mothers or grandmothers used to tell them. We simply did not have children’s books that resonated with us, nor with our lives in the townships and rural areas. No one wrote books for us or about us, unless black children were props in a story where their voices nor humanity did not matter.

Niki Daly‘s pen and crayons changed all that in post-apartheid South Africa. If anyone decolonised children’s literature in South Africa before it was even a thing, it was Niki Daly. His writing and illustrations affirmed the African child in a way that positioned them as clever, curious, feisty and inquisitive, as Dr Xolisa Guzula has described him in her tribute. When a new generation of black South African children’s authors and illustrators started making their mark in a white dominated field, how ironic that they looked to the writing and illustration work of Niki Daly, a white South African man who had so mastered the art of writing about black children? Dr Xolisa Guzula, academic, author and translator of children’s books poignantly says this about Niki:

“Through Niki’s books, I got mentored in ways of seeing the child as being capable and always pushing boundaries as part of their learning and development. I could relate to his themes of family bonds and nurturing that he created through his Jamela and Thoko series books.”

Niki did not only appreciate the African culture, he celebrated it. He wore his South African-ness in his words and through his ink. His greatest joy was seeing his books translated into African languages and being accessible to all South African children. He left us a treasure trove of beautiful stories, now it is up to all of us – teachers, publishers, parents, corporate South Africa and the government through public and school libraries, to take the mantle and ensure that Niki’s books and other South African children’s publications are accessible to children. Our country is facing a literacy and education crisis. Our foundation phase children are not able to read comprehensively. Education and early literacy experts, throughout their years of research have always pointed out to one missing link in getting our literacy challenges right: children need to be introduced to reading as fun in their home languages, even before they could start formal schooling. They need to have as much time enjoying fiction books just as much as they focus on their textbooks and schoolwork.

The post-apartheid generation of all South African children can proudly share with their peers their favourite South African children’ story books that Niki gifted them. Who can forget the mesmerisingly beautiful illustrations in Fly Eagle Fly? The classic South African picture book, Not so Fast Songololo celebrated the nurturing relationship between a grandmother and a child, a story so rooted in the African culture of every family’s favourite matriarch, the grandmother.

At Puku Children’s Literature Foundation, Niki Daly was a beacon and a light that shone so bright and brought a lot of joy to children and adults alike to children across the nation. We extend sincere condolences to his family, friends and writing family. May he rest peacefully and may all children have access in his books in whatever language they need.

Review

By: Elinor Sisulu Receives SA Literary Award

Posted on: December 12, 2023

Elinor Sisulu, founder and Executive Director of Puku was pleased to receive the South African Literary Awards Chairperson’s Achievement Certificate and Trophy for outstanding work in the Children’s Literature space over many years as an author, advocate for indigenous languages and as an activist for inclusion in children’s access to books.

SA Literary Award

SA Literary Award

The prestigious ceremony was held in Potchefstroom after an insightful day of world-class presentations and authentic discourse regarding decoloniality and epistemologies of the Pan-African Literature spaces past and present on the 32nd Annual International Day of the African Writer as declared by the African Union. The Conference was hosted by Write Associates, endorsed by the National Department of Sports Arts and Culture at the North-West University. Key-note speaker at the Conference was the distinguished  Mr Ibrahim Aya from Mali. The 11th International African Writer’s Day media release can be found here.

Elinor was delighted to have been recognised amongst such towering literary giants including Professor Pitika Ntuli, Dr Siphiwo Mahala, Sabata Mpho-Mokae and selected others doing the great work of progressing the discoverability of our African literature, languages and indigenous knowledge systems to their rightful place in the world.

 

Review

By: Puku Visits HRH Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

Posted on: November 9, 2023

Puku Onix Project teammate, Melvin Kaabwe, had the honor of visiting the Mohammed Muhammad bin Rashid library in Dubai On the eve of the Sharjah International book national book fair and was inspired to find this gentle fountain of knowledge rising out like a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Dubai.
The library is an architectural and technological marvel for visitors and booklovers built to ignite the imagination.

View of MbR Library from Train platform

View of MbR Library in Dubai from train platform looks like an upturned book


Rising out of the desert as a fountain of knowledge, the building is designed to resemble an open book towards the sky whilst simultaneously in keeping with the themes of voyaging by ship which are a prominent feature of most magnificent buildings Dubai. Perched on the banks of the Dubai creek, the Library is a confluence of ancient knowledge, modern technology and the power of books to take one on a journey anywhere in the mind. There are various accessibility options using multimedia displays and augmented reality (AR) particularly for children to be encouraged on their journey to develop a love of reading organically.

Free ticketing at the door is done by an online booking service tablet.
As one steps into the library concourse, there is an AR experience that puts one into an epic space adventure story together with resident astronauts on an interplanetary mission just as a start!

AR Interactive display

Interactive AR display at MbR Library

One user-friendly approach for the MbR library is using augmented reality at various patron touch-points in showcasing what the library has to offer. Patrons can use interactive information kiosks that are set out as 3D renders of the library one can manipulate with their fingers to scroll, flip, stretch, pinch and zoom to navigate the library.

 

No books are kept on the shelves to be taken out! Patrons do not need to pull out Books. Most books on the shelves are just for showing exemplars of whichever genre is catalogued.
Library patrons can instead request any title out of the more than 4 million books (including e-books and audio books) available by simply typing out the book name or other search criteria in a search bar on one of the information kiosks or

requesting it from the librarian. A complex system of conveyor belts and space showing shelving shelving then we’ll get the book and bring it to you.

Interactive display

Interactive display at MbR Library General section


So the issuing of books as well as the returns is completely self-service.
All of these library services are possible because of the standardized usage of book data particularly metadata which Puku is prioritizing for the easier discovery of books in our local Southern African languages.
Copying excerpts of books directly to USB storage device as document or image format is available with an automated page-turning camera scanner device. The device is programmed to ask the user to acknowledge the copyright implications for any book copied and to accept the consequences of copyright infringement before proceeding.
For children there is a dedicated section This section has popular titles for children but is the only place in the library which has a level of joyful energy and excitement you can feel and hear aloud unlike most “shhhh” libraries. The children’s section is lively laid out with pods for individual reading as well as a common indoor obstacle course area with slides, climbing nets, bridging etc for play. Children are encouraged to read with ‘Pepper’ a robot friend.

Pepper the Robot

Pepper the robot reader inside the kid’s library section at MbR Library


Pepper can read to the children as well as give them suggestions, call for a an authority figure and verbalize other types of information. On the upper floors, older children (young adults) such as school going teens and young adults have access access to private study carrels where they can do their assignments from school as well as other research or contribute in study groups at groupwork tables.
Individual desks and long tables with glare-free eco friendly smart-lighting are installed throughout the library and pause areas.
Other designated sections of the library include a dedicated periodicals section for newspapers, journals, magazines and such. Then as one would expect based on the Emirates great history of nautical prowess, there is a specific maps/atlas and lastly a media section.
In each section, a digital screen showcases the most popular book available for patrons based on borrowing statistics. It displays the book cover content, synopsis and availability in an eye-catching way that is reminiscent of an attractive retail window display.
There are conference rooms conference rooms available on the upper floors as well. Towards the rear of an exhibition space which is currently showing showing modern art.
While simultaneously on the way to the view outside of the Dubai Creek, there is a beautiful exhibition of Arabic calligraphy on framed portraits of the words as poems or scripture extracts.

Immersive e-Reader

An immersive e-reader device at MbR Library

In another path to the creek is an immersive interactive e-book desk counter that animates a selection of titles accessed via an RFID / NFC tile that displays the content on a rap around screen with 3D capable sound. A user controls page-turning and magnification of the illustrations with a simple dial.
As one walks into the rear garden there is a multicolored installation of pillars adorned by sayings of his Royal Highness. These plinth like structures are shards of knowledge spouting the Ruler’s wisdom in languages from around the globe.

HRH MbR Sayings in isiXhosa

A plinth in the Library gardens displays HRH MbR sayings in isiXhosa

Puku was impressed to see South African languages including Tsonga, Setswana and isiXhosa well represented in translation from the Arabic script.
Puku has been a champion for indigenous languages via isiXhosa festivals and other activities in Southern Africa, it was a distinct experience to see visualized in such a creative manner. This impressive library gives us a glimpse of what is possible to promote children’s books responsibly and with a view to ensure the posterity of our languages into the future given the right techniques and standards for book information now.

Review

By: Comrades runner Mpho Ngoepe is racing for literacy, and he’s speaking our language

Posted on: June 29, 2023

By Fred Khumalo for the City Press; June 2023

Each of the approximately 20 000 runners participating in this year’s Comrades Marathon has a dream: to simply be seen on TV at the starting point or finish line, to improve on their previous record, or to beat the record of the previous winner.

For Mpho Ngoepe, who has completed nine Comrades in the past, the dream this time is not only to finish his 10th within his record, but also to raise awareness and money for a cause close to his heart: the promotion of indigenous languages.

Ngoepe, the director of the School of Arts at Unisa, will be running under the banner #RacingForOurLanguages.

Poor literacy gives campaign further urgency

In an interview with City Press early this week, a day after he arrived in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to acclimatise to the coastal weather, he said:

“We’ve always been deliberate in our campaign to promote our languages, but that campaign’s been given urgency by those shocking results from PIRLS.”

He was referring to the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, which showed that South Africa has one of the poorest performances, with 81% of fourth-graders unable to read for meaning in any language.

In trying to turn the situation around, Ngoepe is working closely with the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation, the Indigenous Languages Initiative for Advancement and Unisa on projects that address three intersecting societal challenges: the literacy/reading crisis, the marginalisation of indigenous languages and the digital divide.

In promoting indigenous languages, Ngoepe leads by example, having published two books in his mother tongue, Sepedi.

The first one was Ntshwe, a collection of short stories published in 1995 by Via Afrika, which won third prize in a literary competition run by the Limpopo department of arts and culture.

Focusing on topics such as drug abuse, child abuse, witchcraft and other related issues, the book was prescribed for Grade 8 pupils in Limpopo.

His second book, Morole o Mosesane – also a short story collection – came out in 2007. He also wrote an English biography of veteran runner Ludwig Mamabolo and is in the process of having it published in Sepedi.

It might come as a shock to those outside the publishing industry that only 3% of books published in this country are written in indigenous languages – despite the fact that black Africans who speak them comprise the majority of the population.

Walking for education inspired his running

As for his marathon career, Ngoepe started running when he was a child attending Seshane Primary School in the Bogom area, Limpopo.

He recalled, when explaining how he developed the muscles for marathons:

“We used to walk 15km to school and 15km back home every weekday. In my case, part of the walking was actually running.”

In later years he participated in athletic activities at a competitive level at school and, in the years since then, he has never lost his love of running.

To date, he has run 13 Two Oceans marathons in Cape Town, a number of Soweto Marathons and some in Gaborone, Botswana, and Bela Bela in Limpopo.

“My first Comrades was in 2010, inspired by the euphoria that had swept the country when it was announced we’d be hosting the Fifa World Cup that year,” said the 48-year-old academic.

It took him six months of hard training to prepare for this year’s Comrades. Roughly, his training regime includes long runs of 100km a week, speed sessions and weekly workouts in which he runs up and down a hill five times.

This year’s Comrades is a down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, covering a distance of 87.7km. There will be 2 354 international runners from 84 countries, alongside 17 920 South Africans who have qualified to participate.

Ngoepe holds an honours degree, a master’s degree and a PhD in information science from Unisa. He did his undergraduate studies at the former University of the North (now the University of Limpopo).

He urged people to contribute towards the cause of promoting our languages.

Donations will be handled by Puku and can be made by EFT into its current account at Nedbank:1007 111 917, branch code 169745, SWIFT code NEDSZAJJ; address: 51-81 Main Road, Rondebosch Village, 1st floor, Shop 4, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700.

International donations can also be made to Puku’s fiscal partner, the SA Development Fund, on the SA Development Fund donation page www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/pukuchildrensliteraturefoundation.

Alternatively, donors can reach the #RacingForOurLanguages campaign hotline via voice call or WhatsApp on 079 267 7469 during business hours.

Review

By:  #RacingForOurLanguages: What’s next?

Posted on: June 17, 2023

On Sunday 11 June 2023, Professor Mpho Ngoepe, the Director of UNISA’s  School of Arts, completed his Comrades Marathon in 6 hours 39 minutes and 15 seconds, smashing his personal best by more than 10 minutes. This placed him among the top 200 in a field of 14 896 runners who completed the race and earned him a silver medal, a remarkable achievement for a part-time runner and full-time academic. 

By completing his 10th Comrades, Professor Ngoepe earned his place on the coveted Green Number Roll of Honour reserved for those who have either won the race three times or won five gold medals or successfully completed 10 Comrades Marathons. His Green Number was presented to him by none other than 2012 Comrades winner and multiple gold medalist Ludwick Mamabolo, whose biography he wrote.

Professor Ngoepe devoted his 2023 Comrades Marathon  to a fundraiser to turbo boost efforts to promote children’s books in indigenous languages. He has been a driving force behind the collaboration between the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation, the language advocacy organisation, ILIFA (Indigenous Languages Initiative for Advancement), and UNISA. This collaboration addresses three intersecting societal challenges – the literacy/reading crisis, the marginalisation of indigenous languages and the digital divide.

The significance of the collaboration’s efforts was further reinforced at the launch of the National Reading Barometer on 13 June. Among the major factors identified by the NRB to promote reading was ““more interesting, free, relatable material in preferred languages” would help adults read with children more. Other findings showed that whilst English was almost fully represented with 97% of speakers of the language having at least one book at home in that language, indigenous languages trailed far behind: for example, IsiXhosa and IsiZulu led African languages at 68%, Sesotho at 52%, and isiNdebele trailing at 18%. Thank you to all those who donated to the #RacingForOurLanguages Campaign and those who are yet to donate. We are delighted that Ntobeko Shezi, a past auditor of Puku, will provide financial oversight of the funds raised through the #RacingForOurLanguages campaign. 

Donations are welcome until 30th June. Donations can be made to Puku via our  online pay system (click here for Puku’s Payfast) or via bank-to-bank EFT to our current / checking account at Nedbank: 1007 111 917, Branch Code 169745, SWIFT Code NEDSZAJJ, Address 51-81 Main Road, Rondebosch Village, 1st floor, Shop 4, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700. 

You may also reach the #RacingForOurLanguages campaign hotline via voice call or WhatsApp: 079 267 7469 during business hours. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Review

By: Tribute to Eusebuis McKaiser

Posted on: June 10, 2023

‘One of the deepest joys of being human is reading. That is why it is crucial that the right to education be enjoyed by every single person. Nothing fuels inequality so viciously as unequal access to education including the injustice of not having an opportunity to learn to read AND to have access to affordable and good, relevant reading materials.’ – Eusebius McKaiser 

Broadcaster and author, Joanne Joseph speech at the memorial of her friend and colleague, the renowned late political analyst, broadcaster and author, Eusebius McKaiser, in recognition of the contribution he made to the book community.

When I was asked to speak about our shared love for books, what immediately came to mind were those many posts – Eusebius at his favourite haunts with a foamy cappuccino in hand, the sun streaming over the pages of a book he was poring over. Those posts became important to us. They were not merely an indulgent peek into Eusebius’s lifestyle. They were an invitation to explore his inner literary world, bursting with the ideas of writers whose words and thoughts he dived into, analysed, digested and critiqued.

For authors whose works were featured and often deeply appreciated in those posts, it was an opportunity at an unexpected, generous endorsement that you knew would drive readers to the bookstores and the libraries to read your works. So many of us are deeply grateful that our books were among those that made it into his hands because we knew he’d treated them with the same love and care with which we’d written them. At times, it pained him to write less complimentary reviews, because he was reluctant to be ungenerous towards other writers. But he was a firm believer that writers ought to be held to a high standard and the public deserved quality reading material.

His social media posts and podcasts were also a call for his followers to be deliberate about the act of reading. We were both equally surprised at how often we’d hear people say ‘I have no time to read’ when what they meant to say was that because time was short, they had simply not prioritised the activity of reading over other pursuits. Eusebius’s posts firstly spoke about the joy of reading, and the infinite pleasure that books gave him. But those posts were also a call to action, exhorting his social media followers to intentionally set time aside to read as a means to expand their world view. For him, learning did not end at university – reading was a consistent part of his daily regime – in the way he exercised his body, he constantly exercised his mind. He was trying to convey that not to read is a dangerous thing, especially in a country where people in positions of power regularly use words to mislead, to misrepresent, to confuse, to detract from the truth and more than ever, to sow hatred and