Ndi Funa U Vhala

Name: Ndi Funa U Vhala
Availability: InStock
Author: Letta Machoga

A free picture book in Venda by Letta Machoga

Cover of Ndi Funa U Vhala, a Venda picture book

Ndi Funa U Vhala is a picture book in Venda for ages 2–8 by Letta Machoga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Venda
Written by: Letta Machoga
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Maphaha Tshimangadzo Nelson
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: South Africa
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Ndi Funa U Vhala is a short illustrated picture book in Venda by Letta Machoga, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Maphaha Tshimangadzo Nelson. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Venda. 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 35 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Ndi a funa u vhala. Ndi nga vhalela nnyi? Khaladzi anga o eḓela. Ndi nga vhalela nnyi? Mme na Makhulu wanga vha kho shuma. Ndi nga vhalela nnyi? Khotsi na makhulu vha mukalaha vha khou shuma. Ndi nga vhalela nnyi…

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. “Ndi Funa U Vhala” is also available in:

Reading together in Venda

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 Venda

See all 50 free Venda books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ndi Funa U Vhala” free to read?

Yes. “Ndi Funa U Vhala” 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 “Ndi Funa U Vhala” in?

It is written in Venda. Pagine has 50 free children’s books in Venda.

What age is “Ndi Funa U Vhala” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Ndi Funa U Vhala” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, Tsonga and more.

Who wrote “Ndi Funa U Vhala”?

“Ndi Funa U Vhala” was written by Letta Machoga and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Venda translation is by Maphaha Tshimangadzo Nelson.

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Credits: Ndi Funa U Vhala — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Maphaha Tshimangadzo Nelson. Venda, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=10547). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026