Ngiyathanda Ukufunda

Name: Ngiyathanda Ukufunda
Availability: InStock
Author: Letta Machoga

A free picture book in Zulu by Letta Machoga

Cover of Ngiyathanda Ukufunda, a Zulu picture book

Ngiyathanda Ukufunda is a picture book in Zulu for ages 2–8 by Letta Machoga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Zulu
Written by: Letta Machoga
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Cynthia Nxele
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

Ngiyathanda Ukufunda is a short illustrated picture book in Zulu by Letta Machoga, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Cynthia Nxele. 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 Zulu. 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

Ngiyathanda ukufunda. Ngizofundela bani? Udadewethu ulele. Ngizofundela bani? Umama nogogo bayapheka. Ngizofundela ubaba. Ubaba nomkhulu bakhanda imoto. Kulungile. Ngizozifundela mina. Ngiyathanda Ukufunda — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Cynthia Nxele; Read by Beauty Ngwenya.…

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. “Ngiyathanda Ukufunda” is also available in:

Reading together in Zulu

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 Zulu

See all 145 free Zulu books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ngiyathanda Ukufunda” free to read?

Yes. “Ngiyathanda Ukufunda” 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 “Ngiyathanda Ukufunda” in?

It is written in Zulu. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Zulu.

What age is “Ngiyathanda Ukufunda” for?

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

Is “Ngiyathanda Ukufunda” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Ngiyathanda Ukufunda”?

“Ngiyathanda Ukufunda” was written by Letta Machoga and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Zulu translation is by Cynthia Nxele.

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Credits: Ngiyathanda Ukufunda — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Cynthia Nxele; Read by Beauty Ngwenya. Zulu, 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