Edition 11

0
IsiXhosa
, English

Stories of Africa Iintsomi zase-Afrika

By Gcina Mhlophe Ngokubhalwe nguGcina Mhlophe
My grandmother was the first person to tell me stories. She encouraged my Ngumakhulu umntu owaba ngowokuqala ukundibalisela iintsomi. Wawakhuthaza
imagination to run wild, and I really believed in those laughing crocodiles amandla okuyila engqondweni yam aphala, yaye ngenene ndandikholelwa kwezo
and flying tortoises that she told me about. I loved her tales about the scary ngwenya zigigithekayo neemfudo ezibhabhayo awayendibalisela ngazo. Ndandizithanda
amaZimzim – the man-eating ogres – and many more fantastic creatures. iintsomi zakhe ezibalisa ngamazim oyikeka kunene - amazim awayesitya abantu -
Because of the way my grandmother told those stories to me, I learnt at a very nenkitha yezinye izilwanyana ezimangalisa ngokungathethekiyo. Ngenxa yendlela le
young age to love language and to understand its power. But sometimes, when awayendibalisela ngayo ezo ntsomi umakhulu, ndafunda ndiselula kakhulu ukuluthanda
I have to express myself in English, which is the language I now use most often, ulwimi nokuqonda amandla alo. Kodwa maxa wambi, xa kufuneka ndithethe isiNgesi, olo
I find that some things are not possible to say. Then I get frustrated and catch ilulwimi ngoku endilusebenzisa ngakumbi nangakumbi, ndisuke ndifumanise ukuba kukho
myself wishing that everyone spoke my mother tongue. Yet that never stops izinto ekungelula nje ukuzithetha ngolo lwimi. Ndisuke ke ngoku ndidideke ndizibhaqe
me from continuing to tell the wonderful stories of my people and share their sele ndinomnqweno othi akwaba wonke umntu ebethetha olu lwam ulwimi. Kodwa ke
imaginative richness with others. loo nto ayize yandinqanda ekubeni ndibalise iintsomi ezimangalisayo zabantu bam ukuze
ndabelane nabanye ngobo buncwane nobutyebi obukuzo.
Many of the stories I tell are taken from well-known traditional tales that the
people of Africa have been telling to each other since the world began. Some of Iintsomi ezininzi endizibalisayo zithathwe kwiintsomi zemveli ezaziwa kakhulu nekukade
these stories from my childhood I have found in stories told and written in many abantu base-Afrika bebaliselana ngazo, kwa-ukususela ekuqalekeni kwehlabathi eli. Zimbi
other parts of the world. This is proof to me of the way in which people have kwezi ntsomi zobuntwana bam ndizifumene kwiintsomi ezibhalwe nezibaliswa kwezinye
always tried to make sense of life’s mysteries and used stories to explain them iindawo ezininzi ehlabathini. Kum ke obo bubungqina bokuba abantu soloko bezama
to each other. ukuqonda izinto ezifihlakeleyo zobomi kwaye besebenzisa iintsomi ukucaciselana ngazo.
Is there still room for these ancient stories in our lives today? I say, “Yes!” Because Ingaba kusekho mfuneko yazo na ezi ntsomi zamhlamnene kobu bethu banamhlanje
any of these stories can be retold in different ways, so that it is possible for ubomi? Mna ndithi, “Ewe!” ngenxa yokuba naziphi na kwezi ntsomi zingabaliswa
people of different ages and cultures to find what they need in it. kwakhona ngeendlela ezohlukileyo, ukuze abantu abankcubeko zingafaniyo
nababuntanga bungalinganiyo bakwazi ukuzuza kuzo oko bakudingayo okanye okufanele
One of my favourite stories is about the woman who went down to the bottom
ezabo iimeko.
of the sea to look for stories to bring back for the human world. I have told this
tale to audiences in different countries all over the world, and so many times I Enye yezona ntsomi ndizithandayo ibalisa ngomfazi owaya enzonzobileni yolwandle ukuya
have had the response: “You know, that story has made me realise that to find kufuna khona iintsomi ukuze azizise elizweni labantu. Yintsomi le endiyibalise kumazwe
the answers I am looking for in my life, I need to look deep inside myself. I must ngamazwe kulo lonke ihlabathi eli, yaye amaxa ngamaxa ndiye ndive amazwi athi:
search the depths of the ocean that is my own heart and soul.” Now what does “Uyazi, le ntsomi indenze ndaqonda ukuba ukuze ndifumane iimpendulo endizidingayo
a storyteller say to that? kobam ubomi, kufuneka ndikhangele nzulu kum ngaphakathi. Kufuneka ndizifune
kubunzulu bolwandle obuyile yam intliziyo nomphefumlo.” Athini ke lo ubalisa loo
Let’s keep passing on the magic of Africa!
ntsomi kweso sithuba?
Ngoko ke masiqhube sisabelana ngalo mlingo wase-Afrika!
This article is adapted from the “Author’s note” of
Stories of Africa by Gcina Mhlophe, and published by
University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. Eli nqaku lithatyathelwe kwicandelo lengabula-zigcawu
elithi, “Ilizwi lombhali” kwincwadi ethi, Iintsomi zase-Afrika
ngokubhalwe nguGcina Mhlophe nepapashwe yi-University of
KwaZulu-Natal Press.

Drive your Story Power.

Bring it home.
imagination Wazise ekhaya amandla ebali.

This supplement is available during term times in the following Times Media newspapers: Sunday Times Express in the Western Cape; Sunday World in the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal; Daily Dispatch and The Herald in the Eastern Cape.
The Nal’ibali Ishelufa yeencwadi
bookshelf kaNal’ibali
Africa Day is celebrated each year on 25 April. It USuku lwe-Afrika lubhiyozelwa minyaka le ngomhla wama-25
is the day on which we celebrate the start of the kuCanzibe. Lusuku esibhiyozela ngalo umhla wokusungulwa
Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, as well koMbutho weManyano yase-Afrika (i-OAU) ngowe-1963, kwakunye
as the freedom fought for by African countries. Here nenkululeko eyalwelwa ngamazwe-ngamazwe ase-Afrika. Nazi
are a few of the latest children’s books that celebrate iincwadi ezimbalwa zabantwana zakutshanje ezibhiyozela i-Afrika,
Africa, published by some South African publishers. nezipapashwe ngabapapashi abathile baseMzantsi Afrika.

The African Orchestra I-Orkhestra yaseAfrika

Author: Wendy Hartmann Umbhali: Wendy Hartmann
Illustrator: Joan Rankin Umzobi: Joan Rankin
Publisher: Jacana Umpapashi: Jacana
With magical illustrations from Joan Rankin, and poetry from Zikunye nemizobo yomlingo kaJoan Rankin, kunye nemibongo
masterful storyteller, Wendy Hartmann, the rhyme lyrically ebhalwe ligcisa lombalisi-mabali, uWendy Hartman, ezi zicengcelezo
captures the magic of the African sounds of nature. From the zizitsholoza ngoncuthu lomculo izandi zendalo yase-Afrika. Ukususela
clicking of crickets to the crackle of the fire, follow the journey kutswi-tswi-tswi wenyenzane ukuya kunqa-nqa-nqa womlilo,
that celebrates these sounds, in the rhythm and music of landela uhambo olubhiyozela ezi zandi, kwisingqi kunye nomculo
Africa. The African Orchestra is also available in Afrikaans, wase-Afrika. I-Orkhestra yaseAfrika iyafumaneka kananjalo nange-
isiXhosa and isiZulu. Afrikaans, isiXhosa kunye nesiZulu.

To stand a chance of winning a copy of Ukuze ube sethubeni lokuphumelela ikopi

The African Orchestra send your name, yencwadi ethi, I-Orkhestra yaseAfrika
address and the title of the book in the thumela igama lakho, idilesi yakho kunye
language you would like it in to nesihloko sencwadi ngolwimi ongathanda
[email protected]. ukuyifumana ngalo [email protected].

Dudu’s Basket Ibhasikithi kaDudu

Author: Dianne Stewart Umbhali: Dianne Stewart
Illustrator: Elizabeth Pulles Umzobi: Elizabeth Pulles
Publisher: Jacana Umpapashi: Jacana
When Dudu finishes weaving her first basket, by Wathi xa uDudu egqiba ukuluka ibhasikithi yakhe yokuqala, sele
the light of the plump full moon, her uncle Jojo ekhanyiselwe nayingqekembe yeyanga epheleleyo, umalume
tells her that a first basket should always be given wakhe uJojo wamxelela ukuba ibhasikithi yokuqala kumele ukuba
away … This is the story of Dudu’s basket and its kuphiswa ngayo ... Eli libali lebhasikithi kaDudu nohambo lwayo,
journey through a number of cultures. It is also ingena iphuma kwiinkcubeko ngeenkcubeko. Nayo le incwadi
available in Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu. iyafumaneka nge-Afrikaans, isiXhosa kunye nangesiZulu.

Sing, Africa! Sing, Africa!

Author: Patricia Schonstein Umbhali: Patricia Schonstein
Publisher: African Sun Press Umpapashi: African Sun Press
This is a vibrant and magical collection of poems and Le yingqokelela enomdla neyomlingo othabathekisayo yemibongo
songs based on themes of Africa, animals, peace and neengoma ezisekelwe kwimixholo yase-Afrika, ezilwanyaneni, eluxolweni
nature. It contains hand-action and counting rhymes kunye nasendalweni. Le ngqokelela iqulethe izicengcelezo ezikhatshwa
and has a strong focus on ecology to stimulate in kukuqhwaba nokubala kwaye igxininisa ngamandla kuhlaza lwendalo
children a joyful awareness of the world around them. ukuvuselela abantwana ukuba baliqonde ngolonwabo ihlabathi
The drawings inside were done by children. elibangqongileyo. Imizobo engaphakathi yenziwe ngabantwana.

To stand a chance of winning a copy of Ukuze ube sethubeni lokuphumelela ikopi yencwadi
Sing, Africa! send your name, address and ethi Sing, Afrika! thumela igama lakho, idilesi kunye
the title of the book to [email protected]. nesihloko sencwadi [email protected].

How Dassie Missed Getting a Tail Kwathini Ukuze Imbila Iswele Umsila
Author: Sindiwe Magona Umbhali: Sindiwe Magona
Illustrator: Nicole Blomkamp Umzobi: Nicole Blomkamp
Publisher: David Philip Umpapashi: David Philip
All was well in the big, big forest. The king of Konke kwakume ngendlela kwelo hlathikazi likhulu.
the animals was very happy; his subjects were Ukumkani wezilwanyana wayonwabe kakhulu, nabalandeli
happy and they served him very well indeed. bakhe babonwabile kwaye babembuse ngokwenene.
They served him so well that the king asked Babembuse kakuhle kakhulu kangangokuba ukumkani
himself what he could do to make his people wayezibuza ukuba yintoni na anokubenzela yona ukuze
happier still. But one of the animals misses out bonwabe nangaphezulu. Kodwa esinye sezilwanyana
on this opportunity. This story is available in all saphoswa lelo thuba. Eli bali liyafumaneka ngazo zonke
eleven official languages. iilwimi ezisemthethweni ezilishumi elinanye.

Drive your
imagination 2
Maggie, Mango and Scottie Maggie, Mango and Scottie
Author: Patricia Schonstein Umbhali: Patricia Schonstein
Illustrator: Leigh Banks Umzobi: Leigh Banks
Publisher: African Sun Press Umpapashi: African Sun Press
Maggie, the Victorian doll, is tired of sitting all day in the UMaggie, unodoli wangexesha likakumkanikazi uVictoria, udinwe
toy shop window. When the shopkeeper isn’t looking, she kukuhlala imini yonke efestileni yevenkile yezinto zokudlala, engenzi
creeps out with her friends, Mango and Scottie. They catch nto. Uthe xa unovenkile engajonganga, wachwechwa waphuma
a taxi into deepest Africa, where they have a wonderful nabahlobo bakhe, uMango kunye noScottie. Bakhwele iteksi eyabasa
adventure. “Earth Notes” at the end of the story give short embindini we-Afrika, nalapho bafumana amahlandinyuka amangalisayo.
descriptions of the animals, birds and insects that Maggie “Amanqaku ngoMhlaba” asekupheleni kwebali anika amagqabantshintshi
and her friends encounter on their adventure. ngezilwanyana, iintaka kunye nezinambuzane abathe ooMaggie nabahlobo
bakhe bahlangana nazo kuloo mahlandinyuka ohambo lwabo.

Stories of Africa and Iintsomi zase-Afrika kunye

Our Story Magic no-Ubugqi beentsomi zethu
Author: Gcina Mhlophe
Umbhali: Gcina Mhlophe
Illustrators: Various
Abazobi: Ngabantu abaliqela
Publisher: University of
Umpapashi: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press
KwaZulu-Natal Press
Stories of Africa and Our Story Magic are collections Iintsomi zase-Afrika kunye no-Ubugqi beentsomi zethu ziingqokelela
of enchanting tales, steeped in the richness of the zeentsomi eziyolisayo nezizele bubutyebi besithethe sase-Afrika
African oral tradition. Each book features well-known sokubalisa amabali. Ncwadi nganye iqulethe amabali abaliswa
and original stories told by South Africa’s renowned okokuqala nawaziwa kakhulu nabaliswa ngumbalisi-mabali
storyteller, Gcina Mhlophe. The stories are beautifully owaziwayo eMzantsi Afrika, uGcina Mhlophe. La mabali azotyelwe
illustrated by a variety of local artists. Although these imifanekiso yawo emihle ngabazobi abohlukileyo balapha eMzantsi
books have been available for some time in English, Afrika. Nangona ezi ncwadi bezikho ngolwimi lwesiNgesi kuphela
they are now also available in all eleven ixesha elide, ngoku ziyafumaneka ngazo zonke iilwimi ezilishumi
official languages. elinanye nezisemthethweni eMzantsi Afrika.

Noko and the Kool Kats Noko and the Kool Kats
Author: Fiona Moodie Umbhali: Fiona Moodie
Illustrator: Fiona Moodie Umzobi: Fiona Moodie
Publisher: Tafelberg Umpapashi: Tafelberg
It is the end of a long, hot day. The village friends had Kusekupheleni kwemini eshushu nebe inde kakhulu. Abahlobo
been in the fields planting mielies, and are now on baselalini bebesemasimini, betyala umbona, kwaye ngoku
their way home. But there is a big surprise waiting for basendleleni egodukayo. Kodwa kukho okungalindelekanga
them. There, on the road near the village, a great big okubalindileyo. Endleleni ekufutshane nelali leyo kukho ibhasi
bus is stuck in the sand. It is the Kool Kats rock band's enkulu exinge entlabathini. Yibhasi yeqela leentambula elibizwa
bus! ngokuba ziiKool Kats!

Today, We Plant a Chief Namhlanje Sityala iNkosi

Author: Sindiwe Magona Umbhali: Sindiwe Magona
Illustrator: Nicole Blomkamp Umzobi: Nicole Blomkamp
Publisher: David Philip Umpapashi: David Philip
Nyaniso hates Sunday School. He knows all the Bible UNyaniso uyasicaphukela iSikolo seCawe. Uwazi onke amabali
stories that the Sunday School teacher tells them. He aseBhayibhileni abaliswa ngutitshala weSikolo seCawe. Wayeweve
heard those stories long before he was old enough onke loo mabali kudala kakhulu nangaphambi kokuba alungele
to go to Sunday School – from his grandmother. ukuya kwiSikolo seCawe – xa wayewabaliselwa ngumakhulu wakhe.
Nyaniso used to like going to Sunday School, but that UNyaniso wayekade ekuthanda ukuya kwiSikolo seCawe, kodwa ngoko
was before Lunga arrived ... This story is available in kwakuphambi kokufika kukaLunga ... Eli bali lifumaneka ngazo zonke
all eleven official languages. iilwimi ezisemthethweni ezilishumi elinanye.

The Name of the Tree is Bojabi The Name of the Tree is Bojabi
Author: Dianne Hofmeyr Umbhali: Dianne Hofmeyr
Illustrator: Piet Grobler Umzobi: Piet Grobler
Publisher: Human & Rousseau Umpapashi: Human & Rousseau
The animals are so, so hungry. Then they see Izilwanyana zilambe kakhulu. Kusenjalo, zibona umthi omhle,
a beautiful tree, covered in ripe fruit smelling of oyokozela iimengo ezivuthiweyo nezinuka kamnandi, nezityebe
the sweetest mangoes, fat as melons, juicy as ngathi ziivatala, nezivuza incindi ngathi ziirharnathi ... Kodwa ingxaki
pomegranates . . . But wrapped around the tree is the inye, lo mthi uthandelwe yeyona namba inkulu kunazo zonke
largest python they have ever seen. And Python will ezakhe zabonwa. Kwaye ke uNamba uza kuzivumela izilwanyana
only let the animals eat of the fruit if they can tell him ukuba zitye ezo ziqhamo kuphela xa zamxelela igama laloo mthi.
the name of the tree. What could it be? Only the King Ingaba lithini bethu? NguKumkani weHlathi kuphela olaziyo, kodwa
of the Jungle knows, and he is far, far away . . . ukude kakhulu ...

Drive your
3 imagination
 Get creative! Sebenzisa ubugcisa bakho!
Here are some fun activities to grow your children’s Nantsi eminye yemisetyenzana eyonwabisayo neyakuphuhlisa
creativity and encourage them to have fun with reading ubugcisa babantwana bakho kwaye ibakhuthaze ukuba bakonwabele
and writing. ukufunda nokubhala.
• After you’ve read Kasanko’s dream, talk about some of these things • Emva kokuba ufunde Iphupha likaKasanko, thetha nabantwana bakho ngezinye
with your children. zezi zinto.
I How did Kasanko, King Dabulamanzi and Senzo each behave I Uziphathe kakuhle kanjani uKasanko, kunye noKumkani uDabulamanzi
in good ways in the story? kwakunye noSenzo kweli bali?
I Who do you think the real hero of the story is? Why? I Ucinga ukuba ngubani elona gorha lokwenene kweli bali? Sithini isizathu
sempendulo yakho?
I Who of all the characters would you want as a friend? Why? I Ngubani, kwaba balinganiswa xa bebonke, ongathanda ukuba ngumhlobo
• Can you retell the story I will help you in your own way? Begin wakhe? Sithini isizathu sempendulo yakho?
with, “Once upon a time there was a mother heron …” and then • Ungalibalisa kwakhona ibali elithi, Ndiza kukunceda ngeyakho indlela? Ungaliqala
let everyone have a turn to add a piece of the story. Add your own ngokuthi, “Kwathi ke kaloku ngantsomi, kwaye kukho umama uKhwalimanzi …” uze
interesting details and words to the story as you retell it. ke emva koko uvumele wonke ubani ukuba afumane ithuba lokongeza isijungqe
• Suggest that your children use scrap materials, Plasticine or esifanelekileyo ebalini apho. Fakela ezakho iinkcukacha ezinomdla namagama
playdough, glue and paint to recreate the glass mountain, magic njengokuba ubalisa ibali eli.
dassie and the purple flowers he was sitting on from The glass • Cebisa abantwana bakho ukuba basebenzise izinto ezilahliweyo, iplasticine okanye
mountain. Encourage them to think of ways to make the mountain intlama yokudlala, iglu kunye nepeyinti ukuze bakhe kwakhona intaba yeglasi, imbila
look as if it is made of glass. yomlingo kunye neentyatyambo ezimfusa eyayihleli phezu kwazo, kwibali elithi,
• 25 May is Africa Day and 1 June is International Children’s Day. Intaba yeglasi. Bakhuthaze abantwana ukuba bacinge ngeendlela zokwenza intaba
Celebrate these days together by encouraging your children to ikhangeleke ngathi yenziwe ngeglasi ngokwenene.
make their own “Children of Africa” poster (like the one on • Umhla wama-25 kuCanzibe luSuku lwe-Afrika, uze umhla woku-1 kweyeSilimela
page 13) with their friends. They will need a large sheet of paper ube luSuku lwaBantwana lweZizwe ngeZizwe. Bhiyozelani ezi ntsuku ninonke
or cardboard, smaller pieces of paper or photographs, glue, ngokukhuthaza abantwana bakho ukuba bazenzele eyabo ipowusta “yaBantwana
scissors, kokis and/or pencil crayons. Let them start by finding base-Afrika” (efana naleyo ikwiphepha le-13) kunye nabahlobo babo. Kuza kufuneka
photographs of themselves or drawing pictures of themselves on babenoxwebhu lwephepha okanye ikhadibhodi, amaphetshana amancinane okaye
small pieces of paper. Next, they should arrange the photographs iifoto, iglu, isikere, iikhoki kunye/okanye neekhrayoni zepensile. Mabaqale ngokuza
or pictures on a large sheet of paper so that there is space to write neefoto zabo okanye bazobe imifanekiso yabo kumaphetshana amancinane. Emva
under or next to each photograph/picture. After they have pasted koko, kufuneka bazilungelanise iifoto okanye imifanekiso kolo xwebhu lwephepha
down the pictures or photographs, let them take turns writing a few ukuze kubekho indawo yokubhala ngezantsi okanye ecaleni kwefoto/komfanekiso
interesting facts about each other. ngamnye. Emva kokuba beyincamathisele imifanekiso okanye iifoto, mabanikane
• We are all Africans and together our memories create the story of amathuba okubhala amanqaku anomdla, omnye ngomnye.
Africa! Make your own memory cards to capture your stories. You • Sonke singama-Afrika kwaye xa sisonke iinkumbulo zethu zenza ibali lase-Afrika!
will need pieces of cardboard that are about the size of a quarter Yenzani awenu amakhadi eenkumbulo athetha ngamabali enu. Kuza kufuneka
of an A4 page, sheets of paper the same size, pencil crayons or nineziqwengana zekhadibhodi ezingangekota yephepha elibukhulu bungu-A4,
crayons, scissors and glue. Start by spending some quiet time in iziqwengana zamaphepha akwangangezi khadibhodi, iikhrayoni zepensile okanye
which you each think of a memory that is special and important to iikhrayoni nje, isikere kunye neglu. Qalani ngokuzinika ixesha apho umntu ngamnye
you. Now think about six to eight moments in that memory that will azolileyo ecinga ngenkumbulo ekhethekileyo nebalulekileyo kuye. Ngoku ke cingani
help you tell the story of that memory. Draw a picture on a sheet ngezinto ezintandathu okanye ezisibhozo ngaloo nkumbulo, eziza kukunceda
of paper for each of these moments. Paste the pictures on the ekubaliseni ibali elimalunga naloo nkumbulo. Zoba umfanekiso kuxwebhu lwephepha
cardboard to create memory cards. Let everyone have a turn ngento nganye oyicingileyo malunga naloo nkumbulo. Ncamathisela imifanekiso
to show their memory cards one at a time as they tell the story kwikhadibhodi ukwenza amakhadi enkumbulo. Vumela wonke ubani ukuba
of their memory. afumane ithuba lokubonisa ngekhadi ngalinye lenkumbulo njengokuba bebalisa ibali
• Together with your children, have fun with poetry puzzles. Cut out lenkumbulo yabo.
words from magazines or newspapers, or write down some of • Ukunye nabantwana bakho, yonwabelani iiphazili zemibongo. Sikani nikhuphe
your favourite words (including ones you have made up!) on slips amagama kwiimagazini, kumaphephandaba okanye nibhale phantsi amagama
of paper. Lay them out in front of you and then arrange some or all eniwathandayo (naquka lawo niwaqambileyo!) kwiziqwengana zamaphepha.
of the words in different combinations to create as many different Wabekeni phambi kwenu nize nibekelele amanye awo okanye onke loo magama
poems as you can! ngeendlela ezohlukileyo nisenza imibongo emininzi kangangoko ninakho!

NAL’IBALI ON RADIO! UNAL’IBALI KUNOMATHOTHOLO!

Tune in to your favourite SABC radio station and Phulaphula esona sikhululo sikanomathotholo
enjoy listening to children’s stories! To find out usithandayo kwijelo losasazo lakwa-SABC uze wonwabele
the days and times that Nal’ibali is on the radio, ukumamela amabali abantwana! Ukuze ufumane iintsuku
go to www.nalibali.org/audio-downloads/. kunye namaxesha uNal’ibali akunomathotholo ngawo,
yiya ku-www.nalibali.org/audio-downloads/.

Create TWO cut-out-and-keep books Kasanko’s dream Zenzele iincwadana EZIMBINI onokuzisika-ze-uzigcine
Iphupha likaKasanko

1. Take out pages 5 to 12 of this supplement. 1. Khupha iphepha le-5 ukuya kwele-12 kolu hlelo.
2. The sheet with pages 5, 6, 11 and 12 on it makes up 2. Uxwebhu olunamaphepha aqala kwele-5, ele-6, ele-11 nele-12
one book. The sheet with pages 7, 8, 9 and 10 on it lwenza incwadi yokuqala. Uxwebhu olunamaphepha aqala
makes up the other book. Gcina Mhlophe
Lalelani Mbhele
kwele-7, ele-8, ele-9 nele-10 lwenza eyesibini incwadi.
3. Use each of the sheets to make a book. Follow the 3. Sebenzisa uxwebhu ngalunye kula mabini ukwenza incwadana.
instructions below to make each book. I will help you
Landela imiyalelo engezantsi ukwenza incwadi nganye.
When Mama Heron needs help, I Ndiza
Willkukunceda
Help You
a) Fold the sheet in half along the black dotted line.
Lungile comes to her rescue.
a) Songa iphepha phakathi kumgca wamachaphaza amnyama.
b) Fold it in half again along the green dotted line. b) Phinda ulisonge phakathi kwakhona ulandela umgca
c) Cut along the red dotted lines. wamachaphaza aluhlaza.
c) Sika ke ngoku ulandela imigca yamachaphaza abomvu.
English
ISBN 9780992235734

Andrea Abbott
9 780992 235734 Andrea Abbott Olivia Villet
Olivia Villet Fathima Kathrada
Fathima Kathrada

Drive your
imagination 4
 5
ku-www.nalibali.mobi imagination
ndwendwela ku-www.nalibali.org okanye
Ukuze ufumane iinkcukacha ezithe vetshe,
Drive your
Lalelani Mbhele ebantwaneni ngokubalisa amabali nokufunda.
ukuzonwabisa nokuvuselela umdla
Gcina Mhlophe UNal’ibali liphulo likazwelonke lokufundela
visit www.nalibali.org or www.nalibali.mobi
storytelling and reading. For more information,
campaign to spark children’s potential through
Nal’ibali is a national reading-for-enjoyment
permission of the author and the publisher, UKZN Press.
“Kasanko's Dream” is reproduced from Stories of Africa by Gcina Mhlophe with the
Setswana, SiSwati, Sesotho, isiNdebele and Afrikaans.
in translation in isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Tshivenda, Xitsonga,
Queen of Storytelling, Gcina Mhlophe, they are now available
and featuring well-known and original tales told by the popular
Steeped in the imaginative richness of African oral tradition
to offer a feast of enjoyment for young and old readers alike.
colourfully illustrated by artists from KwaZulu-Natal, continue
The English versions of Stories of Africa and Our Story Magic,
Iphupha likaKasanko
Kasanko’s dream
Kasanko had always liked Senzo. He called the man over to come Ke uKasanko lo ubezithandela apha kuSenzo. Ngoku ke wayibiza
and sit beside him. Soon, he found himself pouring out all his troubles. le ndoda yaza kuhlala apha ngakuye. Suka wazibhaqa sele ephalazela
Senzo listened quietly to his story, and sat frowning in thought for a yonke imbilini yakhe kuyo. Walimamela lonke elo bali uSenzo ethule
long while. Then he said: “If I were you, Kasanko, this is what I would cwaka, nako efinge iintshiyi ecinga nzulu ixesha elide. Wathi ke emva
say to the King. I would tell him that in order to complete your task and koko, “Ukuba mna bendinguwe, Kasanko, naku ebendiya kukuthetha
make a living iron man, there are certain things you need. To make the kuKumkani. Bendiya kumxelela ukuba ndingathi ukuze ndiwuqabeze
joints move and the tongue speak – 50 bags of human hair. To make the lo msebenzi andinike wona ndenze indoda yentsimbi, nazi izinto
heart beat and the mind think – 100 litres of human tears.” endizidingayo. Ukwakha amalungu akwaziyo ukushukuma nolwimi
Kasanko couldn’t contain his joy. What a brilliant solution! Match luthethe – amashumi amahlanu eengxowa zeenwele zomntu. Ukwenza
one crazy idea with another! He shook Senzo’s hand, hugged him, intliziyo ibethe nengqondo iqiqe – ikhulu leelitha zeenyembezi zomntu.”
kissed him and thanked him over and over again. “Oh you in your madness are Wadloba uKasanko kukuvuya. Esinjalo ukufaneleka isisombululo! Thelekisa
the smartest of us all. You have just saved my life! Thank you, Senzo, my friend. ingcinga ephambeneyo nefana twatse nayo leyo. Wamxhawula uSenzo, wamanga,
Thank you.” wamncamisa ephindaphinda, edomboza ukumbulela. “Kowu wena kule mpambano
Kasanko rushed off home, quickly changed his clothes and got ready to go to yakho uyeyona ngqondi esodlula sonke. Ubusindisile ubomi bam! Enkosi, Senzo,
the Great Palace to see the King. For the first time in days there was a smile on his mhlobo wam. Enkosi.”
face, and he even had an appetite for the food his wife had prepared for him. Wabhabha uKasanko ukugoduka, wafika wakhawuleza wanxiba mpahla yimbi
At the Palace, the King welcomed him and sat down to hear what progress elungiselela ukuya kubona uKumkani. Emva kweentsuku ebambe ubuso waqala
had been made on the creation of his living man. Kasanko cleared his throat and wanalo noncumo, wanalo nephango ukuze atye ukutya akuphekelwe
said: “My respected King, I have been working day and night to make you your yinkosikazi yakhe.
living iron person. I am nearly there, but to finish the job, I need two things EBhotwe, wamamkela uKumkani bahlala phantsi ukuze aphulaphule ukuba
from you.” kwakumaxa aphi na ngomsebenzi wokwenza umntu ophilayo. Wathinta isikhohlela
“Whatever they are, tell me and I will make sure you get them immediately!” uKasanko waze wathi: “Kumkani wam endimbekileyo, bendibile ndisoma imini
cried King Dabulamanzi, beside himself with excitement. nobusuku ndisenza lo mntu uphilayo umfunayo. Sele ndisecicini lokuwuphetha
“What I require is not simple,” cautioned Kasanko. “But without these things, umsebenzi, kodwa ukuze ndiwugqibe umsebenzi lo, ndicela ukuba undiphe
I cannot bring this iron man to life. To make the joints move and the tongue speak, izinto ezimbini.”
I need 50 bags of human hair.” “Nokuba ezo zinto zeziyintoni na, yitsho nje kuba ndiya kuqinisekisa ukuba
“Easy, easy,” cried the King. “What else do you need, Kasanko, speak freely.” uyazifumana zisuka nje!” wawathetha la mazwi uDabulamanzi ezele yimincili.
“To make the heart beat and the mind think, I need 100 litres of human tears.” “Azilula ezi zinto ndizifunayo,” walumkisa ngelo uKasanko. “Koko ke
The King’s smile faded. He called his servants and told them what Kasanko ngaphandle kwazo ezi zinto, andikwazi ukuyenza le ndoda yentsimbi ibe yephilayo.
needed. He ordered them to shave the heads of as many people as was necessary Ukuze amalungu athambe nolwimi luthethe, ndidinga iingxowa ezingamashumi
to fill 50 bags with hair. The servants were puzzled, but they went to obey the amahlanu zeenwele zomntu.”
King’s orders.
8 9
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Phela-phela ngantsomi.
escaped this fate. He was one man the King really respected, so people said.
waze wangomnye wooKumkani abathandwa kunene kwihlabathi liphela.
When they failed, he chased them out of his Kingdom. So far, Kasanko had
Kwaphela mpela kuye ukunika abantu imiyalelo eyinkinge engekhe yafezwa bani
amuse himself, he would ask people to do the most impossible things for him.
Kanti naye uKumkani uDabulamanzi wafunda nto, wabahlonela abantu bakhe.
was never sure what to expect. The King often got bored and sometimes, just to
iSazi, ehlonitshwa ngabo bonke abantu.
Whenever King Dabulamanzi called him to the Great Palace, Kasanko
wabahlobo abakhulu bakaKasanko. Ukususela ngoko waziwa ngokuba nguSenzo
demand and he was often asked to make special items for the King.
baso. Ingaba usalikhumbula na “igeza” elinguSenzo? Thula uthi tu, waba ngomnye
he sometimes found it hard to part with his things. His work was always in
Wayezingca kunene uKasanko ngesikolo sakhe nangempumelelo netalente yabafundi
took great pride in his work and everything he made was so special to him that
ubuchule obunjengokuluka, ukuqingqa, ukubumba iimbiza nomsebenzi wesinyithi.
Most of all, he enjoyed making things that others could not make. Kasanko
bethumela abantwana babo kwisikolo sikaKasanko baye kufunda khona apho
iron – tools and special metal boxes, unusual bracelets, necklaces and rings.
elizweni eli lonke ngezinto zobugcisa eziphuma kuyo. Abantu bakude nabakufuphi
respected ironmonger. He made all sorts of wonderful things out of
Yaye wenza njengoko etshilo. Ekuhambeni kwexesha, ilali kaKasanko yaduma
nce there lived a man called Kasanko, who was a very well-liked and
O
“Ndiya kukunika konke oko ukudingayo,” wathembisa watsho uKumkani.
“Ukuba bendingumtwana, ngendizijula phantsi aph’ emhlabeni ndikhale!”
“You can go home now, Kasanko. The bags of hair will be delivered to watsho kuyo uKasanko. “Uqatsele uKumkani kweli ityeli. Undiyalele ukuba
your house in the next few days and the 100 litres of tears will soon follow.” ndenze umntu ophilayo – ocingayo, ethetha yaye ephefumla okomntu ngobu
And so the King made his promise. But Kasanko could see that bugoxo beentsimbi. NdinguThixo kakade?”
Dabulamanzi was not as excited as before. Kasanko said goodbye and left. “Nceda Tata, thoba, thoba izibilini,” wacenga watsho umfazi. “Uthi
A few days later, the 50 bags of hair arrived on Kasanko’s doorstep. The uKumkani yinkinge oza kuyenza njani le?”
King’s soldiers had gone from village to village shaving everybody – men, “Uyabubona obuya bugoxo buphandle phaya? Ngumzimba ke lowo.
women and children – on the King’s orders. Akatshongo ke ukuba okuseleyo ndiya kukwenza njani na. Kodwa xa ndithe
Then the news spread all over the kingdom that the King needed 100 litres ndawa phantsi, ndingofileyo.”
of tears to help make a living iron man. Big clay pots were brought for Wangxaleka ngumsindo uKasanko, equmbele lo Kumkani unje
people to cry into. As ukuzigwagwisa. Wazibamba, kodwa ke, elixa azama-zamana nelokuba aqale
commanded, everyone njani na. Zahamba zona iintsuku, koko obo bugcisa bufudula bungumncedi
walked around looking wakhe suka banga bumfulathele. Yabuhlungu intliziyo yenkosikazi, ebona
very sad. Some people umyeni wayo engcungcutheka.
managed to cry as Ngenye imini, wenjenjeya uKasanko ukuya kusela umoya yedwa
instructed, but others ezintabeni phaya. Wathi makakhe aphumle encotsheni yentaba, evuyiswa
just could not cry nangumoya owawuphephezela kamnandi, upholisa obo buso bakhe, wazama
on command. ukucinga indlela awayengazikhulula ngayo kwinkinge akuyo. Suka kwee
So the King ordered gqi indoda eyayisiza ngakule ndawo ahleli kuyo. Tyhini, nguSenzo, abathi
his soldiers to beat the ukumbiza abantu belali “nguSenzo ophambeneyo”. Babesitsho kuba waye
people up and make edla ngokuhamba ethetha yedwa, agigitheke ehleka engaziwayo, enze
them cry. Yes, thousands nezinye ke ezingaqhelekanga. Kodwa njengoko wayengenzi mntu nto, abantu
of people were reduced babengamenzi nto nabo. Maxa wambi, batsho abanye, wayengakwenza uzibone
to tears by the painful uhleka ngemini obe ukhedamile ngayo.
beatings. This soon had
them fighting back. Even
the soldiers hated the
stupidity of what they
were being ordered to do. In the end, it did not help very much anyway,
because it was almost impossible to collect the tears. People wiped their tears
away from habit. Or the hot African sun dried the tears on their cheeks as fast
as they flowed.
10 7
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ukuba aye kuthenga isonka.

wathuma uLungile evenkileni
Ngosuku olulandelayo, uGogo

waza waya kudlala nabo emlanjeni.

Endleleni, wadibana nabahlobo bakhe

friends in the river. to the shop to buy bread.

On the way, he stops to play with his The next day, Gogo sends Lungile

WeWebelieve everychild
believe every child
should
shouldown hundredbooks
own a hundred books
bybythe
the age
age of
offive.
five. I will help you
Become a book-sponsor and
Become a book-sponsor
help change the world. and Ndiza kukunceda
help change the world.

Get involved at
bookdash.org
Nal’ibali is a national reading-for-enjoyment
campaign to spark children’s potential through
storytelling and reading. For more information,
visit www.nalibali.org or www.nalibali.mobi
Andrea Abbott
UNal’ibali liphulo likazwelonke lokufundela
ukuzonwabisa nokuvuselela umdla Olivia Villet
Drive your
ebantwaneni ngokubalisa amabali nokufunda.
Ukuze ufumane iinkcukacha ezithe vetshe, Fathima Kathrada
ndwendwela ku-www.nalibali.org okanye
imagination ku-www.nalibali.mobi
7
 8
15 2
“Enkosi, Mama uKhwalimanzi.”
“Thank you, Mama Heron.”
wing and leg on barbed wire.
“Ouch!” Mama Heron hurts her
Eish! The money is gone.
Eyish! Imali ilahlekile. “I will help you,” says Lungile.
“Thank you, Lungile!”
“Ndiza kukunceda,” watsho uLungile.
“Enkosi Lungile!”
10 7
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3 14
zemali zimenyezela apho emanzini.
abukhali azibona iingqekembe
Amehlo kaMama uKhwalimanzi
ephikweni nasemlenzeni wakhe. the coins shining in the water.
wenzakaliswa lucingo oluhlabayo Mama Heron’s sharp eyes see
“Shu!” uMama uKhwalimanzi
“Why are you crying, Mama “Don’t come home until your find
Heron?” asks Lungile. that money!” shouts Gogo.
“I can’t get home to my children,”
she says.
“Kutheni ulila nje Mama
uKhwalimanzi?” kwabuza uLungile.
“Andikwazi ukugoduka, ndiye
ebantwaneni bam,” watsho “Ungabuyeli apha ekhaya ude ube
ngelokuphendula. uyifumene loo mali!” wangxola
watsho uGogo.
6 11
5 12

uMama uKhwalimanzi.
“Kutheni ulila nje Lungile?” wabuza

“Ndincedeni bantu.”

“Please help me.”

asks Mama Heron.

“Why are you crying, Lungile?”

“I am hurt. I can’t get home to my

“I lost the money Gogo gave me to
children,” she says.
buy bread. We have no supper now.”
“I will help you,” says Mama Heron.
“Ndonzakele. Andikwazi ukugoduka
ndiye ebantwaneni bam,” watsho.

“Ndilahle imali ebendiyinikwe

nguGogo ukuze ndithenge isonka.
Ngoku asinaso isidlo sangokuhlwa.”
“Ndiza kukunceda” watsho uMama
uKhwalimanzi.

4 13
10
 11
3 14
ntlungu. Waye eyindoda ayihloneleyo uKumkani, batsho bambi.
kuBukumkani bakhe. Ukuza kuthi ga ngoku, wayesasindile uKasanko kuloo Here I rest my story.
ke ukuba bawe phantsi kuloo nto abathume yona, abagxothele kude le-e Cosi, cosi, iyaphela.
ukuzonwabisa, athi abantu mabamenzele izinto eziyinkohla nenqaba. Babesithi
lowo. Kaloku uKumkani lo wayesoloko enesizungu aze ke xa kunjalo, ezama
uKasanko, emangele ukuba kazi kumhla aza kumfuna ntoni na uKumkani
Rhoqo uKumkani uDabulamanzi embizela kwikomkhulu, wayeya adideke
nto ithile.
umsebenzi wakhe yaye amaxa ngamaxa wayecelwa ukuba enzele uKumkani
kuye maxa wambi ukwahlukana nezinto azenzileyo. Wawuthandwa kakhulu
ewukhathalele ngokwenene umsebenzi wakhe, kangangokuba kwakuba nzima
izinto abanye abantu abangakwaziyo ukuzenza. Wayelinono uKasanko,
Ngaphezu kwanto yonke, akukho wayeyithanda lo mfo ngaphezu kokwenza
kakhulu, izacholo ezingaqhelekanga, iintsimbi zomqala kunye nemisesane.
izinto zentsimbi ezintle ngokwenene – izixhobo neebhokisi zentsimbi ezibukeka
kwaye ithandwa, ihlonitshwa ngabo bonke abantu. UKasanko wayesenza
waye kukho indoda egama linguKasanko, eyayithengisa ngeentsimbi
K
the most popular kings of all time.
dishing out impossible commands that no one could carry out and became one of
As for King Dabulamanzi, he learnt to respect his people. He stopped
more respect by everyone.
friends. He was known from then on as Senzo the Wise, and treated with a lot
pupils. And remember “crazy” Senzo? Well, he became one of Kasanko’s closest
Kasanko was very proud of his school and the achievements of its talented
“Yinto elula leyo,” watsho uKumkani. “Yintoni enye oyidingayo, Kasanko,
“You see all that scrap iron outside? Well that is for the body. How he khululeka nje wena, uthethe.”
expects me to do the rest he did not say. But if I fail, I am a dead man.” “Ukuze intliziyo ihambe nengqondo iqiqe, ndidinga ikhulu leelitha
Kasanko was furious with the arrogant King. He kept his anger to zeenyembezi zabantu.”
himself, however, while he tried to work out what to do next. Days went by, Lwee shwaca uncumo kuKumkani. Wabiza izicaka zakhe wazixelela oko
but his usually clever imagination did not come to his rescue. His wife was kudingwa nguKasanko. Waziyalela ukuba zichebe bonke abantu, ziqokelele
desperately worried about him. iinwele ezo ukuze kugcwaliswe iingxowa ezingamashumi amahlanu.
One day, Kasanko went walking alone in the hills. He sat down on a Zamatsheka izicaka kodwa ke zaya kuwenza umyalelo kaKumkani.
hilltop to rest, grateful for the cool breeze on his hot face as he tried to think of “Ungagoduka, Kasanko. Iingxowa zeenwele ziya kuza kubekwa kwakho
some way out of his dilemma. All at once, he saw someone coming up the path kungedlulanga ntsuku zininzi, elixa lona ikhulu leelitha zenyembezi liya
towards him. It was a man called Senzo, who the people of the village called kulandela kungekudala.”
“crazy Senzo”. This was because he talked to himself, laughed out loud at Yaba ke iKumkani inike isithembiso ngolo hlobo. Kodwa uKasanko
nothing, and sometimes did strange things. But since he never harmed anyone, waqonda phofu ukuba uDabulamanzi wayengenjengezolo ukuchwayita. Wacel’
everyone left him alone. Sometimes, people said, he could help you laugh on indlela uKasanko waze wanduluka.
a sad day. Emva kwentsukwana ezimbalwa, zafika iingxowa ezingamashuma mahlanu
kwaKasanko. Amajoni oKumkani aye ezigqogqe zonke ezo lali, echeba abantu –
ndoda, mfazi namntwana na kakade – ngokomyalelo weKumkani.
Zahamba ke iindaba zabugqiba bonk’ obo Bukumkani zisithi, uKumkani
udinga iinyembezi ezingazalisa iilitha ezilikhulu ukunceda kumsebenzi
wokwenza indoda yentsimbi.
Kweziwa nezingasakhuliyo
ubukhulu iingqayi ukuze balilele
kuzo abantu. Njengoko beyalelwe,
bonke abantu bahamba betsho
ngobuso obubhalwe iintsizi.
Bambi bakwazi ukulila njengoko
beyalelwa, kodwa abanye abazange
bakwazi ukulila kuba bethunyiwe.
Waze ke uKumkani wayalela
amajoni akhe ukuba ababethe
abantu khon’ ukuze bakhale.
6 11
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ngobuso bakhe obunxubileyo yazi ukuba kwaye kunyembelekile.

to learn the skills of weaving, carving, pottery and ironmongery.
zizicaka zeKomkhulu. Inkosikazi kaKasanko yathi nje ukuba ithi ntla
From far and wide people sent their children to Kasanko’s school
yamangaliseka yakubona loo mfumba yenkunkuma yeentsimbi iziswe
famous throughout the land for the excellent crafts it produced.
zibuthe wonke loo vobe wentsimbi zimthuthele kwaKasanko. Ilali yonke
And he was as good as his word. In time, Kasanko’s village became
nelinye alithethayo. Endaweni yaleyo, wayalela izicaka zakhe ukuba
“I will see to it that you get everything you need,” promised the King.
Wanga angaxhathalaza uKasanko. Koko uKumkani akafuna kuva
themselves into the beautiful things they make.”
uze uncede ungandiphoxi.”
where I can pass on my skills to others and teach them to put the best of
ingakohlula ukuyenza xa uzimisele ukuyenza. Ndikuthembile – ngoko ke,
Kasanko told him. “What my heart desires most of all is to start a school,
unganakho nyhani ukuyenza le nto. Ndiyabazi ubugcisa bakho. Akukho nto
a centre of excellence, known far and wide for the quality of its crafts,”
wathi: “Wasoloko uzibekela phantsi Kasanko! Ndazi kakuhle ukuba
“It has always been my dream that this village of ours would become
Suka uKumkani waqhuzuka ehleka akuva oko kuthethwa nguKasanko
up to you, you may ask me for anything that your heart desires. Anything.”
Lilonke suka undibulalele kule ndawo simi kuyo!”
for forgiveness from you and the many others that I have hurt? To make it
undithuma wona. Yinkohla, Kumkani, ukwenza umntu ophilayo ngentsimbi.
harshly punished those who failed to carry them out. How can I begin to ask
“Mandilitsolise ngoku ndithi andiyi kukwazi konke ukuwenza lo msebenzi
King I have been to my subjects. I have given impossible commands and
nelokugqibela ithambo ngenxa yale nto ayalelwa ukuba ayenze nguKumkani.
“You have made me realise, Kasanko, what a cruel and thoughtless
Wema apho uKasanko engowothuke kunene, waye etyhafe
to him.
enomzimba wentsimbi owawungasokuze waze waguga.
The next day, he went straight to Kasanko’s house and humbly apologised
Ngayo yonke into afane twatse nomntu, umohluko ibe kukuba yena
All that night the King lay sleepless, thinking many troubled thoughts.
onengqondo yokuqiqa, nelizwi lokuthetha nemiphunga yokuba aphefumle.
except swallow his pride and tell Kasanko to forget the whole thing.
makathathe zonke ezo zinto aze ngazo, enze umntu. Ewe, umntu –
matched one crazy idea with another. There was nothing the King could do
ke izixhobo ezazingasasetyenziswa konke. Wathi uKumkani kuKasanko
just as he had asked the impossible from Kasanko. The ironmonger had
beentsimbi zezinto ezaphukileyo ezifana nezitulo, imikhonto, iimela nezinye
going on. He realised that Kasanko was asking the impossible from him,
ngaphandle, apho kwaye kukho imfumba yobugolokoxo
Then it dawned on the King what was really
Wamkhokela ke uKumkani uKasanko, baphumela
desperately desired.
Wathi kuKasanko waye efuna amenzele nto ithile netyhulu.
not receive his living iron man, the miracle he had so
apho waye elindwe khona nguKumkani uDabulamanzi.
was greatly tormented by the thought that he would
elandelayo, wenjenjeya ke ukusinga kwiKomkhulu elo,
that he had failed to keep his part of the bargain? He
yaye iyintoni na ayibizelwayo. Wavuka ngonyezi ngemini
tears out of his subjects. How could he tell Kasanko
ngentseni elandelayo. Wazibuza uKasanko ukuba ingaba
know what more he could do to squeeze the necessary
kumbizela kwiKomkhulu uKasanko, zisithi maze afike apho
King Dabulamanzi was furious. He just didn’t
Ngaminazana ithile kwafika izithunywa zakhe uKumkani zize

Kwaseso sijwili ke, amawaka ngamawaka abantu

One day the King’s messenger arrived to summon Kasanko to the
begxwala yintlungu yokubethwa. Suka bazilwela ngoku
palace, instructing him to be there first thing the following morning. Kasanko
abantu. Phofu namajoni la ayebuthiyile obu butyhifili
wondered what awaited him. He rose early the next day, and went to the
abuthunyiweyo. Kodwa ke ekugqibeleni, naleyo indlela
Great Palace, where King Dabulamanzi was waiting for him. He
ayizange incede nto, kwasuka kwayinkinge ukuqokelela
told Kasanko that he wanted him to do something very special
iinyembezi. Abantu babesuka bazosule iinyembezi ngenxa
for him. The King then led him outside, to a large pile of broken
yesiqhelo. Okanye ke ilanga le-Afrika eligqatsayo lisuke
iron chairs, spears, knives and all kinds of old tools that were no
lizomise ezo nyembezi zisaqengqeleka njalo
longer used. He told Kasanko that he wanted him to take these
ukwehla ngezidlele.
things away, and out of them, make a person. Yes, a person –
Wayenomsindo kakhulu uKumkani uDabulamanzi. Wakhohlwa mpela,
with a mind to think, a voice to speak and lungs to breathe. In
engazi ukuba angenza ntoni na ukuze acudise kuphume ezo nyembezi kubantu
every way just like a human, except that he would have an iron
bakhe. Wayeza kumxelela njani na uKasanko ukuba uwe phantsi kwisithembiso
body which would never grow old.
ebemnike sona? Waba buhlungu kakhulu akucinga ngokuphoswa kwakhe
Kasanko stood shocked and dismayed by the King’s request. “I must tell
yindoda yentsimbi, lo mmangaliso abe ewulangazelela ngentliziyo yakhe iphela.
you right now that I can’t perform this task for you. It is impossible, O King,
Suka kwasa kuKumkani ngokuba kanye-kanye kwaye kuqhubeka ntoni
to make a living person out of iron. So you might as well kill me right now!”
na. Wabona ukuba uKasanko waye emfuna nto ingenakho konke ukwenzeka,
But the King just laughed at his words and said: “Oh you are so modest
kanye njengoko naye amfune angekhe wanakho ukuyenza uKasanko.
Kasanko! Of course you can do this thing. I know your special talent. You
Umthengisi wezinto zeentsimbi waye embethe ngolwakhe uswazi. Kwacaca
can do anything you put your mind to. I am counting on you – so please,
gca-a kuKumkani ukuba inye awayefanele kukuyenza, yaye leyo ikukuzithoba
don’t disappoint me.”
amxelele uKasanko ukuba ayilibale yonke le mbudede.
Kasanko tried to protest further. But the King would not listen to
Ngobo busuku uKumkani walala engalele, ephethwe ziingcinga
anything he said. Instead, he ordered his servants to carry the big pile of
ezazimkhathaza. Ngengomso, waya ngqo kwaKasanko waze wazendlala
scrap metal off to Kasanko’s home. The whole village stared in open-
kuye ecela uxolo.
mouthed amazement as the royal party arrived bearing the mountain of old
“Undenze ndaqonda, Kasanko, ukuba ndibe ndinguKumkani
iron junk. Kasanko’s wife took one look at her husband’s distraught face and
ongenaluvelwano kubantu bam. Ndiye ndanika imiyalelo esisishiqi ndaze
knew that something very bad was happening.
ndabohlwaya kalukhuni abo bawe phantsi ekuyiqabeliseni. Ndiqale phi
“If I was a child, I would throw myself on the ground and cry!” Kasanko
na ke ukucela uxolo kuwe nakwinkitha yabanye esele ndibahlungisile?
told her. “The King has gone too far this time. He has ordered me to make a
Ukukubuyekeza, ungandicela nantoni na efunwa yintliziyo yakho. Nantoni na.”
living being out of scrap metal – one who can think, speak and breathe like a
“Soloko yaba iliphupha lam ukuba le lali yethu ibe liziko lemfezeko,
human. Am I God, I ask myself?”
yaziwe naphiphiphi ngobugcisa bayo,” waphendula watsho uKasanko. “Eyona
“Please, Baba, calm down, calm down,” begged his wife. “How does the
nto ifunwa yeyam intliziyo kukuqala isikolo, apho ndingathwesa khona abanye
King expect you to do this impossible thing?”
ngobugqi endinabo ndibafundise ukuzinikela kangangoko xa beqingqa
nto ithile.”

4 13
12
Children of Africa Abantwana base-Afrika
To celebrate Africa Day on 25 May and USuku lwe-Afrika ngomhla wama-25 kuCanzibe kunye
International Children’s Day on 1 June, here noSuku lwaBantwana lweZizwe ngeZizwe ngomhla woku-
is a special poster of the Nal’ibali children for 1 kweyeSilimela ungalubhiyozela ngokusika le powusta
you to cut out and keep. ekhethekileyo yabantwana bakwaNal’ibali uze uyigcine.

Name: Neo Name: Dintle

Age: 8 years Age: 9 months
Brothers/sisters: Mbali Brothers/sisters: Afrika
Languages: IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, English Languages: Sesotho
Favourite colour: red Favourite colour: doesn’t have one yet
Favourite snack: ice cream Favourite snack: strawberry yoghurt
Favourite books: stories about pirates Favourite books: books with pictures of babies and animals
Favourite activity: playing soccer Favourite activity: splashing in water

Igama: nguNeo Igama: nguDintle

Ubudala: yiminyaka e-8 Ubudala: ziinyanga ezi-9
Abantakwabo/oodadewabo: nguMbali Abantakwabo/oodadewabo: ngu-Afrika
Iilwimi azithethayo: isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNgesi Iilwimi azithethayo: iSesotho
Owona mbala awuthandayo: ngobomvu Owona mbala awuthandayo: akakabinawo okwangoku
Elona shwam-shwam lakhe alithandayo: yi-ayiskhrim Elona shwam-shwam lakhe alithandayo: yiyogathi
Ezona ncwadi azithandayo: ngamabali abalisa enesongo sequnube
ngabaphangi baselwandle Ezona ncwadi azithandayo: ziincwadi ezinemifanekiso
Eyona nto athanda ukuyenza: kukudlala ibhola ekhatywayo yeentsana kunye nezilwanyana
Eyona nto athanda ukuyenza: kukudyumpuza emanzini

Name: Hop
e
Age: 10 year
Name: Bella s
Brothers/sist
Age: 5 years ers: none
ali Languages
Brothers/sisters: none Name: Mb Afrikaans, Is
: English,
a rs
Languages: IsiXhosa, English Age: 2 ye iZulu
rs /s isters: Neo Favourite co
lour: purple
Favourite colour: green Brothe Favourite sn
IsiZulu
Favourite snack: bananas Languages: ack: cheese
lour: pink and tomato
Favourite books: stories about animals, queens Favourite co pcakes rolls
ack: pink cu Favourite b
and witches Favourite sn ym e s
ooks: novels
about
ooks: rh children the
Favourite activity: reading to her dog, Noodle Favourite b ing up same age as
a ctivity: dress Favourite a her
Favourite ctivity: doin
g karate
Igama: nguBella
uMbali Igama: nguH
Ubudala: yiminyaka e-5 Igama: ng ope
minyaka e-2 Ubudala: yi
Abantakwabo/oodadewabo: akanabo Ubudala: yi ewabo: ng
uNeo minyaka e-10
b a n ta kw abo/oodad Abantakwa
Iilwimi azithethayo: isiXhosa, isiNgesi A ulu bo/oodadew
etheyo: isiZ Iilwimi azith abo: akanab
Owona mbala awuthandayo: ngoluhlaza Iilwimi azith u th a n dayo: ngop
inki ethayo: IsiN o
m b a la a w Owona mb gesi, i-Afrikaa
Elona shwam-shwam lakhe alithandayo: Owona lakhe ala awutha ns, IsiZulu
m-shwam Elona shwa ndayo: ngom
ziibhanana Elona shwa s esipinki m-shwam la fusa
: zii-cupcake ziirolo zesonk khe alithand
Ezona ncwadi azithandayo: ngamabali alithandayo d a yo: a ezifakwe its ayo:
adi azithan Ezona ncwa hizi netumat
amalunga nezilwanyana, ookumkanikazi kunye Ezona ncw di azithand o
zo ezimalunga ayo: ziinovel
namagqwirha zizicengcele yenza: nabantwan i
a thanda uku Eyona nto a a abazintang
Eyona nto athanda ukuyenza: kukufundela Eyona nto thanda ukuy a zakhe
kakuhle kukudlala ik enza:
inja yakhe, uNoodle kukunxiba arati

Name: Josh
Name: Afrika Age: 12 years
Age: 7 years Brothers/sisters: none
Brothers/sisters: Dintle Languages: Afrikaans, English, Sesotho
Languages: Sesotho, English, IsiXhosa Favourite colour: blue
Favourite colour: brown Favourite snack: salt and vinegar chips
Favourite snack: watermelon Favourite books: teen novels and books
Favourite books: books about how to make things about aeroplanes
Favourite activity: building things, and anything to do with science Favourite activity: building and flying kites

Igama: ngu-Afrika Igama: nguJosh

Ubudala: yiminyaka e-7 Ubudala: yiminyaka e-12
Abantakwabo/oodadewabo: nguDintle Abantakwabo/oodadewabo: akanabo
Iilwimi azithethayo: iSesotho, isiNgesi, isiXhosa Iilwimi azithethayo: i-Afrikaans, isiNgesi, iSesotho
Owona mbala awuthandayo: ngobrawuni Owona mbala awuthandayo: ngozuba
Elona shwam-shwam lakhe alithandayo: yivatala Elona shwam-shwam lakhe alithandayo: ziitshipsi eziqholwe
Ezona ncwadi azithandayo: ziincwadi ezimalunga nendlela ngetyuwa neviniga
yokwenziwa kwezinto Ezona ncwadi azithandayo: ziinoveli zabafikisayo kunye
Eyona nto athanda ukuyenza: kukwakha izinto kunye neencwadi ezimalunga neenqwelontaka
nantoni na enxulumene nenzululwazi Eyona nto athanda ukuyenza: kukwenza nokubhabhisa ikayiti

Drive your
13 imagination
 rn y
co tor
er
The glass mountain
S

Retold by Kai Tuomi Illustrations by Natalie and Tamsin Hinrichsen

A long time ago, the place at the foot of Table Mountain that we now “What do you want with me?” asked Vulture, struggling to fly.
call Cape Town, was dry and empty. At that time, it was said that Table
“Vulture,” said Khwezi, “could you fly me up to the top of the mountain? If
Mountain was made of glass and that a magic dassie who granted wishes,
you do, I will fill this dry, empty land with plants and animals. Then you will
lived at the very top.
never go hungry again.”
Men and women came from all across South Africa and tried to climb the
“That sounds wonderful,” said Vulture, “and I am very hungry. Okay, I’ll try
glass mountain to get to the magic dassie, but the sides of the mountain
and fly you to the top of the glass mountain.”
were very slippery and no matter how hard they tried, no one could make
it to the top. So Vulture flew Khwezi up through the clouds. It took a very long time,
but in the end they reached the top of the mountain. Khwezi jumped from
One day, a young boy called Khwezi arrived in Cape Town. He wanted to
Vulture down onto the flat top of the glass mountain.
get to the top of the mountain. That night, he went into the veld and
found Leopard. “Hello,” said a silky voice.
“Leopard,” Khwezi said, “I need to ask you a favour. If you help me, I Khwezi saw a golden dassie sitting on a cushion of small purple flowers,
promise that I will fill this dry, empty land with plants and animals. You eating a long piece of yellow grass.
will never go hungry again.”
“You must be the magic dassie,” said Khwezi.
Leopard looked hungrily at the boy. “Why should I help you? I could just
eat you, you know,” said Leopard licking his lips. And then Leopard thought “I am,” said the dassie. “What is your wish? I could make you the richest
some more about Khwezi’s offer and said, “Actually a land filled with plants person in the world, or maybe you want to be handsome, or famous.”
and animals sounds wonderful. I accept. What do you need?”
Khwezi thought about all these things and then he thought about Leopard,
“You are very good at climbing, and with your sharp claws, we should be and Vulture, and all the hungry people living in the place we now call
able to get to the top of the glass mountain,” said Khwezi, getting onto Cape Town.
Leopard’s back.
“No,” said Khwezi, “I wish to fill this dry, empty land with plants
They walked through the veld, across the dry land, all the way to the and animals.”
glass mountain.
“If you say so,” said the magic dassie, blinking.

There was a loud POP! and golden sparks filled the sky. Khwezi closed his
eyes and when he opened them again, the mountain was no longer made
of glass, it was wild and natural and filled with many wonderful plants,
much as it is today. He looked out over the land further away, and he saw
that it was filled with plants and animals. Vulture swooped past with a
big smile on his face. Khwezi looked for the golden dassie, but he
had disappeared.

At the bottom of the mountain, Leopard dug his claws into the slippery
glass sides, and started to climb up. It took a long time and they had to
climb very slowly. When they were about halfway up, Leopard sighed. “I’m
too tired to carry on,” he said, lying down against the glass. “It’s impossible
to get to the top, even with my claws.”

Vulture, who was a big scary bird, circled in the sky above them.

“I have an idea,” said Khwezi, “let’s lie here and pretend to be dead.”
On his way down the mountain, Khwezi found Leopard sleeping in the
So they lay down on the glass and pretended to be dead. Soon, Vulture shade of a tree.
landed, thinking he had found something good to eat.
“Well done,” said Leopard, half asleep.
“How tasty,” said Vulture. “What good luck!”
Khwezi patted him and carried on walking down the mountain. When he
“Hiya!” shouted Khwezi, jumping from Leopard’s back and grabbing hold reached the bottom, Khwezi was met by a crowd of people who cheered and
of Vulture’s claws. He held on tightly. Vulture shrieked in surprise and flew lifted him onto their shoulders. Then they had a big party to celebrate. After
into the sky, carrying Khwezi off with him. Leopard watched them go and a long time more and more people came to live in the land around Table
then slid slowly back down the side of the mountain. Mountain, and they made a city that would later be called Cape Town.

Drive your
imagination 14
 In ma
da ba
ya

w li
Intaba yeglasi

o
Libali likaKai Tuomi Imifanekiso yekaNatalie kunye noTamsin Hinrichsen
Endulo mhlamnene, indawo esezantsi kweNtab’ eTafile nesiyibiza ngokuba IHlosi lababukela besimka laze lazityibilikisa ngokucothayo ethambekeni lentaba,
yiKapa namhlanje, yayomile kwaye ingumqwebedu. Ngelo xesha, kwakusithiwa lisiya ezantsi.
iNtab’ eTafile yayenziwe ngeglasi kwaye imbila enomlingo neyayifezekisa “Ufuna ntoni kum?” labuza iXhalanga, lisokola ukubhabha.
iminqweno yoluntu, yayihlala encotsheni yaloo ntaba.
“Xhalanga” watsho uKhwezi, “ungabhabha nam ude ufikelele encotsheni yentaba?
Amadoda nabafazi ababevela kuzo zonke iinkalo zoMzantsi Afrika, babezama Ukuba wenze njalo, ndiza kuwuzalisa lo mhlaba womileyo, ungumqwebedu
ukunyuka intaba yeglasi ukuze bafikelele kwimbila enomlingo, kodwa ngezityalo nezilwanyana. Ngoko ke awusoze uphinde ulambe.”
ukuthambeka kwentaba kwakutyibilikisa kakhulu kwaye nokuba babezama
kangakanani na, akukho namnye owayekwazi ukufikelela encotsheni yentaba. “Oko kuvakala kumangalisa,” latsho iXhalanga, “kwaye ndilambe kakhulu kungoku.
Kulungile, ndiza kuzama ndibhabhe ndikuse encotsheni yentaba yeglasi.”
Ngenye imini, inkwenkwana encinane ebizwa ngokuba nguKhwezi yafika eKapa.
UKhwezi wayefuna ukunyuka afikelele encotsheni yentaba. Ngobo busuku, Ngoko ke iXhalanga labhabha lenyusa uKhwezi ladlula emafini. Kwabathatha ixesha
waya ethafeni waze wadibana neHlosi. elide kakhulu, kodwa ekugqibeleni bafika encotsheni yentaba. UKhwezi watsibela
phantsi wawela kumphezulu osicaba wentaba yeglasi.
“Hlosi,” watsho uKhwezi, “ndicela undincede. Ukuba uthe wandinceda,
ndiyathembisa ukuba ndiza kuwuzalisa lo mhlaba womileyo, nongumqwebedu “Molo,” kwatsho ilizwi elimnandi.
ngezityalo nezilwanyana. Soze niphinde nilambe kwakhona.” UKhwezi wabona imbila ebugolide ihleli kamnandi phezu kwesipha seentyatyambo
IHlosi layijonga le nkwenkwana ngamehlo endlala. “Yintoni ezakwenza ezincinane ezimfusa nezazingathi zingumqamelo, kwaye isitya isicithana eside
ndikuncede? Ndingasuka nje ndikutye ngokulula, uyazi,” latsho iHlosi lilenca sengca emthubi.
imilebe yalo. Kodwa iHlosi laphinda lacinga nzulu ngesithembiso sikaKhwezi laze “Inokuba uyile mbila yomlingo kuthethwa ngayo,” watsho uKhwezi.
lathi, “Enyanisweni, umhlaba ozaliswe zizityalo nezilwanyana uvakala ubukeka
ngokumangalisa. Ndiyavuma ndiza kukunceda. Ufuna ntoni?” “Ewe ndiyiyo,” yatsho imbila. “Yintoni umnqweno wakho? Ndingakwenza ube
sesona sityebi sikhulu ehlabathini, okanye mhlawumbi ufuna ukuba yinzwana,
“Uyincutshe yokugwencela, kwaye ngeenzipho zakho ezibukhali, singakwazi okanye umntu odumileyo.”
ukufikelela encotsheni yentaba yeglasi,” watsho uKhwezi, ebelekeka
kumqolo weHlosi. UKhwezi wacinga ngazo zonke ezo zinto waze wabuya wacinga ngeHlosi, kunye
neXhalanga, kwakunye nabantu bonke abalambileyo abahlala kule ndawo ibizwa
Bahamba ethafeni, benqumla umhlaba owomileyo, bethe chu kuloo ndlela iya ngokuba yiKapa ngoku.
entabeni yeglasi.
“Hayi,” watsho uKhwezi, “Ndinqwenela ukuzalisa lo mhlaba womileyo
ungumqwebedu ngezityalo kunye nezilwanyana.”
“Xa ufuna njalo ke, ngumnqweno wakho,” yatsho imbila yomlingo, iqhwanyaza.
Kwavakala isandi esingxolayo esithi POP! zaze iintlantsi ezibugolide zazalisa
isibhakabhaka. UKhwezi wacimela waze xa ewavula amehlo kwakhona, wabona
ukuba intaba ayiseyiyo eyeglasi, yayilidlelo nethafakazi eliqhelekileyo kwaye
yayizaliswe zizityalo ezimangalisayo, njengokuba kusenjalo nanamhlanje. Wajonga
umhlaba okude kakhulu, waze wawubona uzaliswe zizityalo kunye nezilwanyana.
IXhalanga labhabha ladlula kuye litsho ngoncumo olubanzi ebusweni balo. UKhwezi
wakhangela imbila ebugolide, kodwa yayinyamalele.

Emazantsi entaba, iHlosi lafaka iinzipho zalo kulo glasi yentaba isecaleni
netyibilikisayo, laze laqalisa ukunyuka. Kwabathatha ixesha elide kakhulu oko
kwaye kwakufuneka ukuba benyuke ngokucotha kakhulu. Bathi xa sele benyuke
isiqingatha somgama, iHlosi latsala umphefumlo laza latsho ngesingqala.
“Ndidinwe kakhulu ukuba ndingaqhubeka phambili ngoku,” latsho, laze
langqengqa loyama ngeglasi. “Akululanga ukufikelela encotsheni yale ntaba,
nditsho nangezi nzipho zam.”
Ixhalanga, elaliyintaka enkulu neyoyikekayo, lalibhabha lijikeleza, lisenza
isangqa phezulu esibhakabhakeni ngentla kwabo.
“Kukho iqhinga endinalo,” kutsho uKhwezi, “masilale apha phantsi, senze
ngathi sifile.” Endleleni yakhe ehla entabeni, uKhwezi wafumana iHlosi lilele emthunzini womthi.
Bathe ke ngoko balala phantsi kulo glasi bazenza abafileyo. Kwakamsinyane,
“Wenze kakuhle, ndiyavuyisana nawe,” latsho lihebhuza bubuthongo.
iXhalanga lathi ngcu ecaleni kwabo, licinga ukuba lifumene into emnandi
yokutya. UKhwezi walimbambazela waze waqhubeka nokuhla intaba. Xa efika ezantsi,
“Engako yona incasa,” latsho iXhalanga. “Ithamsanqa elingaka endilifumeneyo!” uKhwezi wayekhawulelwe ligquba labantu ababemthakazelela nabamphakamisela
phezulu bamthwala emagxeni abo. Emva koko babhiyoza ngethekokazi elikhulu.
“Hiya!” wakhwaza wenjenjalo uKhwezi, lo gama etsiba ukusuka kumqolo Emva kwexesha elide abantu abaninzi kakhulu beza kuhlala kumhlaba ongqonge
weHlosi ukuya kuthi nqaku iinzipho zeXhalanga. Wabambelela apho, eziqinise iNtab’ eTafile, kwaye bakha isixeko esaye sathiywa igama lokuba liKapa,
nkqi. IXhalanga lakhala lothukile laze lantinga ukuya esibhakabhakeni, lithwele ekuhambeni kwexesha.
uKhwezi lisenyuka naye.

Drive your
15 imagination
Nal’ibali fun
Okokuzonwabisa kwakwaNal’ibali
J Can you help Lungile get to his lost money?

J J
Use your imagination to tell the rest of
this story.
Ungakwazi kusini na ukunceda ukhaphe uLungile ukuze
afumane imali yakhe elahlekileyo?

Neo put the book under his pillow

and got out of bed. He crept quietly
to the front door so that he wouldn’t
wake anyone up. He opened the door
slowly. On the front doorstep was ...

J Sebenzisa imifanekiso-ntelekelelo
nengqikelelo yakho uze ugqibezele eli bali.

UNeo wayifaka phantsi komqamelo

incwadi waze wavuka. Wachwechwa
ngokuzolileyo ukuya kumnyango
wangaphambili ukuze angavusi
namnye umntu.Waluvula ucango
ngokuzolileyo nangokucothayo.
Apho emnyango kwakukho …

J Be a word detective and find these words in J Yiba ngumcuphi wamagama ukuze ufumane la
magama kwibali elithi, “Iphupha likaKasanko”.
the story, “Kasanko’s dream”.
Choose any word: Khetha naliphi na igama:
• that describes Kasanko __________________________ • elichaza uKasanko ________________________________
• that describes Senzo ____________________________ • elichaza uSenzo __________________________________
• that describes a feeling __________________________ • elichaza imvakalelo _______________________________
• that names a place _____________________________ • elinika indawo igama ______________________________
• that rhymes with “night” _________________________ • elinesingqi nesingqisho esifanayo negama elithi "abhideke" _________________
• that starts with the letters pr- _____________________ • eliqala ngesakhi u-ama- ____________________
• that ends with the letters -ness ___________________ • eliphela ngesakhi u–ela ________________________
• with 7 letters __________________________________ • elinoonobumba abasi-7 ___________________________
• with more than 10 letters ________________________ • elinoonobumba abangaphezulu kwe-10 ______________
• that is new to you ______________________________ • elitsha kuwe ____________________________________

Bookmarks, posters, activity Iibhukhmaki, iipowusta, amaxwebhu

:
sheets ... Download your free Visit us on Facebook emisetyenzana … Zikopele imithombo
alibaliSA
resources from the Nal’ibali www.facebook.com/n yakho yasimahla kwicandelo likaNal'ibali
“Resource” section on our website: ebook: elithi “Resources” kwiwebhusayithi yethu
Sindwendwele ku-Fac
www.nalibali.org. alibaliSA eku-www.nalibali.org.
www.facebook.com/n

Produced for Nal’ibali by the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa (PRAESA) and Times Media Education. Translation by Nobuntu Stengile. Nal’ibali character illustrations by Rico.

Drive your
imagination 16