Okuyalula iinamwenyo

Name: Okuyalula iinamwenyo
Availability: InStock
Author: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek

A free picture book in Oshindonga by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek

Cover of Okuyalula iinamwenyo, a Oshindonga picture book

Okuyalula iinamwenyo is a picture book in Oshindonga for ages 2–8 by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Oshindonga
Written by: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek
Illustrated by: Rob Owen
Translated by: Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Namibia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Okuyalula iinamwenyo is a short illustrated picture book in Oshindonga by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek, illustrated by Rob Owen and translated by Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo. 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 Oshindonga. 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

Ondjamba yimwe otayi ka nwa omeya. Oonduli mbali otadhi ka nwa omeya. Oongalangombe ndatu otadhi ka nwa omeya osho wo uudhila une otawu ka nwa omeya. Oompalala ntano noompinda hamano otadhi ende dhu uka komeya. Oongolo heyali otadhi matuka dhu…

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. “Okuyalula iinamwenyo” is also available in:

Reading together in Oshindonga

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 Oshindonga

See all 40 free Oshindonga books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Okuyalula iinamwenyo” free to read?

Yes. “Okuyalula iinamwenyo” 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 “Okuyalula iinamwenyo” in?

It is written in Oshindonga. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Oshindonga.

What age is “Okuyalula iinamwenyo” for?

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

Is “Okuyalula iinamwenyo” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Nigerian Pidgin, Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Okuyalula iinamwenyo”?

“Okuyalula iinamwenyo” was written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek and illustrated by Rob Owen; the Oshindonga translation is by Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo.

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Credits: Okuyalula iinamwenyo — Written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek; Illustrated by Rob Owen; Translated by Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo; Read by Rachel Nandjembo. Oshindonga, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9671). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026