About 200 learners from four primary schools across the city enjoyed a morning of fun and storytelling in celebration of World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) at the Iziko Museum yesterday (4 February).
The event aimed to foster a love for reading among learners from schools in Gugulethu, Lentegeur, Mfuleni and Goodwood.
The learners were treated to a guided tour of the museum and storytelling sessions led by various readers, including Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
WRAD is observed annually to promote literacy, storytelling and a culture of reading.
The global campaign encourages individuals, families, schools and communities to read aloud together and celebrate the transformative power of stories.
The event was organised by Nal’ibali, with support from City libraries and the Iziko Museum.
Nal’ibali is a national campaign that encourages children to develop a love for reading through storytelling.
Carol Titus, Nal’ibali Western Cape coordinator, said the venue was intentionally chosen as it speaks directly to the 2026 theme, “Unlocking Magic Through Stories – A Journey of Hope and Adventure.”
“Children should have the opportunities and the spaces to want to read outside of schooling environment.”
This year’s read-aloud story, entitled “A new friend”, which was read by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, encouraged inclusivity.
Titus said the book was first published in sign language before being translated into the country’s 12 official languages.
She described the message the book aims to portray.
“The story speaks about a deaf child making friends with a hearing-abled child. We want kids to know that anyone is important.”
She said this year Nal’ibali had set an ambitious national goal: to reach 4 million children across South Africa to read to during this month.
“We don’t only want them to read for one day, but to develop a love for reading that they would want to read throughout the year. Most children don’t know the museum. We are at the museum to let them know that there are stories beyond ourselves.”
Hill-Lewis said the City had more than a hundred public libraries right across the Metro where young Capetonians can go and enter a world of imagination and adventure, and acquire the one skill that will set them up for life.
“In our country where poor literacy hold so many children back from fulfilling their dreams let’s all do what we can to encourage more reading, especially reading aloud to our children.”
Dr Bongani Ndhlovu, Executive Director: Core Functions at Iziko Museums of South Africa, said museums are spaces of wonder, engagement and imagination.
“By combining storytelling with exploration we hope to inspire a lifelong love of reading and show our children that knowledge, heritage and magic can be discovered in many forms.”
Sibahle Matebe, a Grade 3 learner, at Bonga Primary School in Gugulethu, said she is fond of books.
“I like books and I like reading because it’s interesting. I love books filled with pictures.”
Lolo Msizi, a teacher at Bonga Primary School, said reading unlocks children’s minds.
“We do reading at school according to the learners’ abilities. We encourage parents to read to their children.”
Titus said children who read regularly are more likely to develop strong language, comprehension and critical-thinking skills.
“Kids who read can go anywhere. The more you read the more you will be exposed. We want to tell kids and their families that words and vocabularies are important.”
