Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya

Name: Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya
Availability: InStock
Author: Letta Machoga

A free picture book in Tsonga by Letta Machoga

Cover of Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya, a Tsonga picture book

Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya is a picture book in Tsonga for ages 2–8 by Letta Machoga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Tsonga
Written by: Letta Machoga
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Mkomati John Mongwe
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

Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya is a short illustrated picture book in Tsonga by Letta Machoga, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Mkomati John Mongwe. 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 Tsonga. 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

Ndzi rhandza ku hlaya. Xana ndzi nga hlayela mani? Tati wa mina u etlele. Xana ndzi nga hlayela mani? Mhani na kokwana wa mina wa xisasti va le ku gingirikeni. Xana ndzi nga hlayela mani? Bava na kokwana wa mina…

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. “Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya” is also available in:

Reading together in Tsonga

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 Tsonga

See all 56 free Tsonga books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya” free to read?

Yes. “Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya” 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 “Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya” in?

It is written in Tsonga. Pagine has 56 free children’s books in Tsonga.

What age is “Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya” for?

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

Is “Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya”?

“Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya” was written by Letta Machoga and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Tsonga translation is by Mkomati John Mongwe.

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Credits: Ndzi Rhandza Ku Hlaya — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Mkomati John Mongwe. Tsonga, 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