Nal’ibali drives literacy change with Story Bosso

Reaching over 18 000 people and collecting over 2 000 stories from South Africans across the country in just one month, the Nal’ibali storytelling competition, ‘Story Bosso’, has helped drive literacy change in homes and communities throughout the country by reviving the lost era of storytelling.

Run throughout September this year, which was both Literacy and Heritage month, the competition aimed to connect members of the public to ideas and inspiration on how to tell stories and read aloud to others while showcasing a range of local stories in all official languages. By inviting everyone in South Africa, young and old, to share their favourite story in their language, the message from Nal’ibali was clear: Anyone can tell a story, anytime, anywhere!

“Storytelling is one of the greatest tools we have to develop not just our children’s curiosity and imaginations, but also their sense of empathy and belonging. Storytelling and reading aloud allow us to build connections with each other by passing on knowledge and providing a shared experience while at the same time being important building blocks of literacy learning,” explained Carole Bloch, Director of PRAESA (the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa), a key partner in the Nal’ibali campaign.

“As South Africans, we have a deep and respected history of storytelling. Those most fortunate among us will remember being enchanted as young children by the stories told to us by our gogos, parents and other family members. Stories were told to teach us lessons, instill morals and values and often, simply to entertain us. These storytelling moments stay with us throughout our lives and become some of our most cherished memories,” added Smangele Mathebula, Nal’ibali Campaign Driver.

Accepting submissions online in the form of audio and video clips, Nal’ibali Literacy Mentors in seven provinces also held a series of pop-up auditions and public events to provide community members without appropriate technology or Internet access with an opportunity to share and record their stories. “For many people entering the competition there was a delicious moment, one that was charming to witness, when the full stride of story burst through the fear and nerves they had in telling it. Eye contact, a small smile… and then three-minutes of magic,” said Jade Jacobsohn, Managing Director of Nal’ibali.

Held at schools, shopping centres, public transport hubs and other community centres, the pop-up auditions brought joy to passersby of every age with the distribution of free books and special Story Bosso story cards while bigger public events created the opportunity for community members to showcase their talents with a public performance. Nal’ibali characters, Neo and Bella, also made their first public appearances, encouraging younger storytellers with friendly waves and plenty of hugs and photo opportunities.

“Some of the stories told were well known, some brand new and surprising. There were funny tales, cautionary parables, and some downright befuddling plots filled with twists and turns, and told by a full cross section of South Africa’s society. It’s clear that we are a nation full of creativity and imagination, and the Story Bosso competition created a big space to validate the importance of sharing our stories,” concluded Jacobsohn.

And, while many masterful storytellers were discovered in the process, the key aim of the competition was to highlight and share the tips and techniques that can help make anyone a better storyteller and get our children excited about books and reading.

Now, guided by Nal’ibali’s staff, a host of celebrity judges including actress and writer, Lebogang Mashile; founder of the South African Reading Foundation and its division ReadabookSA, Tebogo Ditshego; author and retired teacher, Sindiwe Magona; social activist and writer, Shaka Sizulu; comedian and author, Nik Rabinowitz; actress and author Bonnie Henna; children’s author, Alan Glass; new-age performance poet and singer, Busiswa and TV presenter and radio personality, Elana Afrika will help review the entries and select a winner.

The short list announcement outlining finalists in each of the competition’s three categories will be made in early November prior to the crowning of South Africa’s first Story Bosso and two runners-up. Taking home not only the title, a R5 000 cash prize, a R 1 000 Ackermans voucher and home library courtesy of Bargain Books, Exclusive Books and local publishers, the winner will also receive a visit from a participating celebrity judge. The runnersup will each receive R2 500 in cash, a R500 Ackermans voucher and a home library.

– Sally Mills