The campaign, along with pledging partners including the department of basic education (DBE); the department of social development; LIMA; LIASA; Rotary; Volkswagen South Africa; The Bookery; and Zisize Ingwavuma Educational Trust, aims to raise awareness among adults and caregivers of the vital role of reading aloud in children’s literacy development by issuing a brand new story and calling on its friends, partners, and members of the public to join them in reading out loud to children on the same day.

Last year, with the help of the nation, over 300 000 children heard a story read to them in their own language and, this year, read-aloud sessions are planned nationally. Some community reads will be led by Nali’bali, and others will be organised by members of the public with schools, libraries, fellow literacy organisations, and non-profits joining in.

“Nal’ibali sees World Read Aloud Day as one of the most important events on our calendar,” says Jade Jacobsohn, Nal’ibali managing director. “Children who are immersed in great and well-told stories – in languages they understand – become inspired and are motivated to learn to read for themselves.” This year, Nal’ibali has commissioned award-winning children’s author, Niki Daly, to write its special World Read Aloud Day story, The Best Sound in the World.

The story has been translated into South Africa’s 11 official languages and illustrated by Rico. Along with supporting materials, it will be available for free on the Nali’bali website. Members of the public wishing to join in can also sign up. Read-aloud sessions will be taking place in homes, schools and communities, the day will be launched with an event at uShaka Marine World in Durban, which will see Nali’bali unveiling its newest drive: The Story Powered Schools project. Endorsed by the DBE and made possible by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will be working with selected rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape to unlock learner’s potential through storytelling and reading.

South African author Buhle Ngaba, who will be giving the reading, shares her own journey as an author and her enjoyment of reading with them. The AmaZulu soccer team will also be in attendance. Engaging the children in books and stories, they will be demonstrating their support for literacy development in South Africa and acting as reading role models to other adults as well as their supporters.

“Everyone can join in and be part of an initiative that benefits each and every one of us,” says Ben Rycroft, head of communications at Nal’ibali. “This is just the beginning. We are confident that people will realise that reading aloud is fun as well as meaningful, and will continue throughout the year.” 

For more information, visit www.nalibali.org. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.