Swem in die Zambezi

Name: Swem in die Zambezi
Availability: InStock
Author: Imelda Lyamine, Albius Chunga Mulisa, Maria Simasiku, Florence Habayemi Shitaa

A free picture book in Afrikaans by Imelda Lyamine, Albius Chunga Mulisa, Maria Simasiku, Florence Habayemi Shitaa

Cover of Swem in die Zambezi, a Afrikaans picture book

Swem in die Zambezi is a picture book in Afrikaans for ages 8–11 by Imelda Lyamine, Albius Chunga Mulisa, Maria Simasiku, Florence Habayemi Shitaa that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Afrikaans
Written by: Imelda Lyamine, Albius Chunga Mulisa, Maria Simasiku, Florence Habayemi Shitaa
Illustrated by: Kleopas Jambeinge
Translated by: Helena Vilonel
Reading level: ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs
From: Namibia, South Africa
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Swem in die Zambezi is a short illustrated picture book in Afrikaans by Imelda Lyamine, Albius Chunga Mulisa, Maria Simasiku, Florence Habayemi Shitaa, illustrated by Kleopas Jambeinge and translated by Helena Vilonel. It is written for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–4) and is graded as Level 4 · Longer paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Afrikaans. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 5 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Dit was ‘n helder, sonnige Sondagmiddag. Die jong meisies in Lusese het onder die takke van die grootste Musikili boom in die Caprivi bymekaar gekom. Die opgewonde gegons van hulle stemme het deur die hele dorp weerklink. Hulle roep na…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Swem in die Zambezi” is also available in:

Reading together in Afrikaans

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 Afrikaans

See all 143 free Afrikaans books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Swem in die Zambezi” free to read?

Yes. “Swem in die Zambezi” 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-NC-SA 4.0).

What language is “Swem in die Zambezi” in?

It is written in Afrikaans. Pagine has 143 free children’s books in Afrikaans.

What age is “Swem in die Zambezi” for?

It is best for ages 8–11 (Level 4 · Longer paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Swem in die Zambezi” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Oshindonga, Oshikwanyama, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab.

Who wrote “Swem in die Zambezi”?

“Swem in die Zambezi” was written by Imelda Lyamine, Albius Chunga Mulisa, Maria Simasiku, Florence Habayemi Shitaa and illustrated by Kleopas Jambeinge; the Afrikaans translation is by Helena Vilonel.

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Credits: Swem in die Zambezi — Written by Imelda Lyamine, Albius Chunga Mulisa, Maria Simasiku, Florence Habayemi Shitaa; Illustrated by Kleopas Jambeinge; Translated by Helena Vilonel; Read by Helena Vilonel. Afrikaans, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40389). CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. · Page updated October 2026