Isikhukhukazi noSongololo
A free picture book in South Ndebele from African Storybook

Isikhukhukazi noSongololo is a picture book in South Ndebele for ages 5–11 that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- South Ndebele · isiNdebele seSewula
- Publisher
- African Storybook
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Leveled reader
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Digital Library
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Isikhukhukazi noSongololo is a short illustrated picture book in South Ndebele. It is written for ages 5–11 and is graded as Leveled reader, 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 the Global Digital Library and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read.
How it begins
Isikhukhukazi noSongololo bebabangani. Kodwana ngaso soke isikhathi bebaphalisana. Ngelinye ilanga bathatha isiqunto sokudlala ibholo erarhwako ukubona bona ngubani umdlali ophuma phambili. Baya ekundleni yezemidlalo bathoma ngomdlalo wabo. Isikhukhukazi besirhaba, kodwana uSongololo bekarhaba khulu. Isikhukhukazi sararhela kude, kodwana uSongololo wararhela kude…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).
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
IQhinga lakaTjhontjhwani
Wuuf-wuuf!
Ihlathi leenyoka
UPalesa uthanda iintjalo
Ukukhubazeka akusikho ukubhalelwa
Ukuphi ukatsu wami?
UBaba uza ekhaya
Imbewu Encazana
See all 69 free South Ndebele books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Isikhukhukazi noSongololo” free to read?
Yes. “Isikhukhukazi noSongololo” 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 4.0).
What language is “Isikhukhukazi noSongololo” in?
It is written in South Ndebele (isiNdebele seSewula). Pagine has 69 free children’s books in South Ndebele.
What age is “Isikhukhukazi noSongololo” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Leveled reader). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.
Get the free app →Credits: Isikhukhukazi noSongololo — African Storybook, via the Global Digital Library. CC BY 4.0. Source: https://content.digitallibrary.io/nr/book/isikhukhukazi-nosongololo/ · Page updated October 2026