PagineImbuzi, Inja Nekomo
A free picture book in South Ndebele by Fabian Wakholi
Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo is a picture book in South Ndebele for ages 5–8 by Fabian Wakholi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- South Ndebele · isiNdebele
- Written by
- Fabian Wakholi
- Illustrated by
- Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter
- Translated by
- William Jiyana
- Reading level
- ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo is a short illustrated picture book in South Ndebele by Fabian Wakholi, illustrated by Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter and translated by William Jiyana. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in South Ndebele. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 32 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Imbuzi, inja nekomo bezibangana abakhulu. Ngelinye ilanga bathatha ikhambo ngeteksi. Kuthe nasele bafikile lapha ekade baya khona, umtjhayeli weteksi wababawa bonyana babhadale imali yesikhwelo iteksi. Ikomo yona yabhadala. Inja yona yabhadala imadlana encani ngombana beyiphethe imali etjhodako. Kuthe umtjhayeli afuna…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).
This story in other languages
Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Bok, Hond en Koei
- Bemba · Imbushi, Imbwa ne ŋombe
- Dhopadhola · Dyel, Gwok Kodi Dhyaŋ
- English · Goat, Dog and Cow (Colour-in)
- Jamaican Creole · Guot, Daag an Kou
- Kaonde · Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe
- Khoekhoegowab · Piris, Arib, tsî Gomas xa
- Kikamba · Mbui, Ngiti na Ng’ombe
- Kimaasai · Enkíné, Oldía ó Enkíténg
- Kiswahili · Mbuzi, Mbwa na Ng’ombe
- Luganda · Wambuzi, Wambwa ne Wante
- Lugbarati (official orthography) · Ndrí ‘ɨ, Òcó ‘ɨ àzɨ́nɨ Tí ‘ɨ
- Lukhonzo · Embene, Embwa, n’Ende
- Lumasaaba · Imbusi, Imbwa ni Ngaafu
- Lunda · Impembi, Kawa na Ng’ombi
- Lunyole · Embusi, Embwa n’Eῃombe
- Luvale · Phembe, Kawa, na Ngombe
- Mauritian Creole · Kabri, Lisien, ek Vas
- Nigerian Pidgin · Goat, dog, and Malu
- Nyanja · Mbuzi, Galu ndi Ng’ombe
- Oshikwanyama · Shikombo, Mbwa nOngobe
- Oshindonga · Oshikombo, ombwa nongombe
- Otjiherero · Ongombo, ombwa nongombe
- Rutooro · Embuzi, Embwa, N’Ente
- Sesotho · Podi, Ntja le kgomo
- Somali · Ri, Eey iyo Sac
- Spanish · La Cabra, el Perro y la Vaca
- Tonga · Mpongo, Mubwa a ŋombe
- Tswana · Podi,Ntsa le Kgomo
- Turkana · Akine, Ing’ok Ka Aite
- Xhosa · UBhokhwe, uNja, noNkomo
- Zulu · Imbuzi, Inja Nenkomo
Reading together in South Ndebele
- Read it aloud first, pointing at the pictures; then let your child “read” the pictures back to you.
- Ask open questions: what happened, how did the character feel, what would you do?
- Growing up with two languages? Talk about the story in whichever language feels easiest — the understanding carries over.
More free books in South Ndebele
Uthimba Uyaphulukisa!
Amanyathelo kaShongololo
ULara unombhonge osarulani
UPako iZuba Uyanyamalala
Ukufuna Umfutho Wokugidinga
Ingabe Ukhona Ofana Nami?
UMagozwe
NgoMgqibelo otjhisako ngemva kwamadina
See all 69 free South Ndebele books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo” free to read?
Yes. “Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo” is free to read online in Pagine on any phone, tablet or computer — no payment and nothing to download. It is openly licensed (CC BY 3.0).
What language is “Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo” in?
It is written in South Ndebele (isiNdebele). Pagine has 69 free children’s books in South Ndebele.
What age is “Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo” for?
It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.
Who wrote “Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo”?
“Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo” was written by Fabian Wakholi and illustrated by Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter; the South Ndebele translation is by William Jiyana.
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Get the free app →Credits: Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo — Written by Fabian Wakholi; Illustrated by Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by William Jiyana. isiNdebele, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=6380). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026