Celebrate Read Aloud Day with One of South Africa's Oldest Literary Treasures, Brought to Life

Celebrate Read Aloud Day with One of South Africa’s Oldest Literary Treasures, Brought to Life

GLM TEAM February 3, 2026

World Read Aloud Day celebrates the power of reading aloud to build literacy, confidence and connection. It reminds us that stories are not only meant to be read silently, but shared, spoken and passed on.

This year, Johannesburg Inner City Partnership is proud to mark the day with a read-aloud from the Sesotho edition of Chaka, a milestone made possible through funding from the Social Employment Fund (SEF). An English reading will also be held. SEF’s support enabled the translation and production of this iconic work, ensuring that a South African classic is once again accessible in the language it was originally written in.

Originally authored by Thomas Mofolo, Chaka traces the journey of a boy who rises from adversity to become a king who shaped history. While the book has long been available in multiple languages, its Sesotho version had all but disappeared … until now.

The reading will be led by Puseletso Ratikane, a member of the SEF team who was directly involved in the book’s production and proof-reading of the Sesotho translation. Puseletso joined SEF in 2024 as a bookseller at Bridge Books in Library Gardens, Beyers Naudé Square. With a background in teaching, her work is rooted in literacy development in the CBD. She describes contributing to Chaka as a highlight of her SEF journey. This is a free event and all welcome.

Lit District’s involvement as a JICP SEF partner in this World Read Aloud Day celebration reflects a shared commitment to storytelling, literary heritage and making books and reading visible and accessible in the inner city.

Our Early Childhood Development team will also be joining the reading, reinforcing the importance of early exposure to language and storytelling. An English reading may follow, ensuring the story is shared across languages and generations.

On World Read Aloud Day, we celebrate reading as a collective act that preserves heritage, strengthens indigenous languages, creates work with purpose, and builds a more connected inner city. Lit District’s involvement as a partner in this World Read Aloud Day celebration reflects a shared commitment to storytelling, literary heritage and making books and reading visible and accessible in the inner city.

Wednesday, 4 February 2026 | 2–3pm, Library Gardens – Beyers Naude Square