Zama ependafule!

Name: Zama ependafule!
Availability: InStock
Author: Michael Oguttu

A free picture book in Oshindonga by Michael Oguttu

Cover of Zama ependafule!, a Oshindonga picture book

Zama ependafule! is a picture book in Oshindonga for ages 5–8 by Michael Oguttu that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Oshindonga
Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Namibia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Zama ependafule! is a short illustrated picture book in Oshindonga by Michael Oguttu, illustrated by Vusi Malindi and translated by Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, 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 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Okamwamememati ohaka kotha kwa toka noonkondo. Ngame ohandi meneka ongula onene oshoka ngame ependafule. Ongame handi egululile mo oonte dhetango. “Ongoye onyothi yandje yongula,” Meme osho a ti. Ohandi iyogo ngame mwene esiku kehe, inandi pumbwa okukwathelwa. Ihandi tila omeya…

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. “Zama ependafule!” 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 “Zama ependafule!” free to read?

Yes. “Zama ependafule!” 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 “Zama ependafule!” in?

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

What age is “Zama ependafule!” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Zama ependafule!” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Zama ependafule!”?

“Zama ependafule!” was written by Michael Oguttu and illustrated by Vusi Malindi; the Oshindonga translation is by Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo.

Scan to get the free Pagine reading tracker app

Track reading with the free Pagine app

Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.

Get the free app →

Credits: Zama ependafule! — Written by Michael Oguttu; Illustrated by Vusi Malindi; Translated by Hamukoto Efraim, Rachel Nandjembo; Read by Rachel Nandjembo. Oshindonga, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9984). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026