Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu

Name: Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu
Availability: InStock
Author: Tessa Welch

A free picture book in Xhosa by Tessa Welch

Cover of Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu, a Xhosa picture book

Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 5–11 by Tessa Welch that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Xhosa
Written by: Tessa Welch
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: South Africa
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Tessa Welch, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa. It is written for ages 5–11 (Grades 2–3) and is graded as Level 3 · First paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Xhosa. 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 31 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Kudala-dala, amantombazana amathathu ahamba aya kutheza iinkuni. Yayiyimini eshushu, ngoko ke baya ezantsi emlanjeni ukuya kuqubha. Enye yamantombaza, egama linguNozibele, yayine neklesi entle yeentsimbi emqaleni wayo. Wayeyenzelwe ngumakhulu wakhe. UNozibele wayikhulula ineklesi yakhe wayibeka ngononophelo elityeni phakathi kwenqgumba zeenkuni. Wabe…

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. “Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu” is also available in:

Reading together in Xhosa

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 Xhosa

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu” free to read?

Yes. “Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu” 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 “Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu” in?

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

What age is “Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu” for?

It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai and more.

Who wrote “Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu”?

“Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu” was written by Tessa Welch and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Xhosa translation is by Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa.

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Credits: Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu — Written by Tessa Welch; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa. Xhosa, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1880). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026