My journey of 15000 African Storybooks | Nthabi Sibanda

[Music]

[Music] my story or my journey rather of 15,000

my story or my journey rather of 15,000

my story or my journey rather of 15,000 African storybooks started 13 years ago

African storybooks started 13 years ago

African storybooks started 13 years ago when my children were babies and at the

when my children were babies and at the

when my children were babies and at the time it was actually a no-brainer for my

time it was actually a no-brainer for my

time it was actually a no-brainer for my husband and I that we would speak to

husband and I that we would speak to

husband and I that we would speak to them in our African languages it was one

them in our African languages it was one

them in our African languages it was one of those decisions as as parents that we

of those decisions as as parents that we

of those decisions as as parents that we didn’t even have to discuss it was

didn’t even have to discuss it was

didn’t even have to discuss it was actually just seamless in in how we did

actually just seamless in in how we did

actually just seamless in in how we did it so in doing that then we said okay we

it so in doing that then we said okay we

it so in doing that then we said okay we want to speech them in our African

want to speech them in our African

want to speech them in our African languages because for us that was an

languages because for us that was an

languages because for us that was an important connection to who they are as

important connection to who they are as

important connection to who they are as Africans it was important in terms of

Africans it was important in terms of

Africans it was important in terms of the identity it was important in terms

the identity it was important in terms

the identity it was important in terms of the culture it was important in terms

of the culture it was important in terms

of the culture it was important in terms of their sense of pride so armed with

of their sense of pride so armed with

of their sense of pride so armed with this decision we then went about

this decision we then went about

this decision we then went about speaking in our African languages now

speaking in our African languages now

speaking in our African languages now the dynamic with us is that my home

the dynamic with us is that my home

the dynamic with us is that my home language is the Soto and his is some

language is the Soto and his is some

language is the Soto and his is some dead end so you can imagine then how

dead end so you can imagine then how

dead end so you can imagine then how people around us our parents included

people around us our parents included

people around us our parents included thought okay you’re just gonna confuse

thought okay you’re just gonna confuse

thought okay you’re just gonna confuse our grandchildren like what are you

our grandchildren like what are you

our grandchildren like what are you doing but we put on our academic hats on

doing but we put on our academic hats on

doing but we put on our academic hats on and did a lot of research and realize

and did a lot of research and realize

and did a lot of research and realize that actually this can be done and after

that actually this can be done and after

that actually this can be done and after all your average South African adult is

all your average South African adult is

all your average South African adult is bilingual or trilingual so why can’t we

bilingual or trilingual so why can’t we

bilingual or trilingual so why can’t we then just pass this on to our children

then just pass this on to our children

then just pass this on to our children as well so we were very determined to do

as well so we were very determined to do

as well so we were very determined to do this because as you know language is

this because as you know language is

this because as you know language is inextricably linked to culture so we

inextricably linked to culture so we

inextricably linked to culture so we thought you know what

thought you know what

thought you know what English is a given as a middle-class

English is a given as a middle-class

English is a given as a middle-class black person they are going to learn

black person they are going to learn

black person they are going to learn English but what about our languages and

English but what about our languages and

English but what about our languages and the culture that comes with that

the culture that comes with that

the culture that comes with that so we soldiered on and wanted to then

so we soldiered on and wanted to then

so we soldiered on and wanted to then support this decision with story books

support this decision with story books

support this decision with story books toons videos anything that can then just

toons videos anything that can then just

toons videos anything that can then just fit in seamlessly with our busy

fit in seamlessly with our busy

fit in seamlessly with our busy lifestyles so off we went to the local

lifestyles so off we went to the local

lifestyles so off we went to the local malls to look into to to book stores to

malls to look into to to book stores to

malls to look into to to book stores to look for this material you can imagine

look for this material you can imagine

look for this material you can imagine them walking in to this space into this

them walking in to this space into this

them walking in to this space into this bookstore where from floor to ceiling

bookstore where from floor to ceiling

bookstore where from floor to ceiling you’ve got books galore you’ve got

you’ve got books galore you’ve got

you’ve got books galore you’ve got different genres you’ve got different

different genres you’ve got different

different genres you’ve got different sections it is just packed with books

sections it is just packed with books

sections it is just packed with books but when you look around you don’t see

but when you look around you don’t see

but when you look around you don’t see yourself as a black person represented

yourself as a black person represented

yourself as a black person represented and this was very problematic because

and this was very problematic because

and this was very problematic because one we know that we’ve got all those

one we know that we’ve got all those

one we know that we’ve got all those stories we know that Africa is filled

stories we know that Africa is filled

stories we know that Africa is filled with stories but somehow growing up you

with stories but somehow growing up you

with stories but somehow growing up you know about the Roman Empire and the

know about the Roman Empire and the

know about the Roman Empire and the Vikings but you don’t know about Queen

Vikings but you don’t know about Queen

Vikings but you don’t know about Queen Sheba and Maupin go way and and Timbuktu

Sheba and Maupin go way and and Timbuktu

Sheba and Maupin go way and and Timbuktu you know about the Loch Ness monster but

you know about the Loch Ness monster but

you know about the Loch Ness monster but you don’t know about Yami Yami the

you don’t know about Yami Yami the

you don’t know about Yami Yami the mythical water god of Musa watry Nia who

mythical water god of Musa watry Nia who

mythical water god of Musa watry Nia who the Europeans call Victoria Falls by the

the Europeans call Victoria Falls by the

the Europeans call Victoria Falls by the way so it was very frustrating getting

way so it was very frustrating getting

way so it was very frustrating getting into this space where we know that from

into this space where we know that from

into this space where we know that from a Content perspective that is definitely

a Content perspective that is definitely

a Content perspective that is definitely something that we are not missing but

something that we are not missing but

something that we are not missing but somehow when you translate that into

somehow when you translate that into

somehow when you translate that into what’s available in our spaces there is

what’s available in our spaces there is

what’s available in our spaces there is a gap there and more than just about the

a gap there and more than just about the

a gap there and more than just about the content

content

content it was also then about what does a story

it was also then about what does a story

it was also then about what does a story actually do we must not underestimate

actually do we must not underestimate

actually do we must not underestimate the power of a story a story can be

the power of a story a story can be

the power of a story a story can be inclusive it can show you visually just

inclusive it can show you visually just

inclusive it can show you visually just that I matter because these people look

that I matter because these people look

that I matter because these people look like me they come from my context it

like me they come from my context it

like me they come from my context it resonates but it can also at the same

resonates but it can also at the same

resonates but it can also at the same time tell you that

time tell you that

time tell you that you don’t matter it can exclude it can

you don’t matter it can exclude it can

you don’t matter it can exclude it can then tell you time and time again before

then tell you time and time again before

then tell you time and time again before you even get into the actual story just

you even get into the actual story just

you even get into the actual story just looking at the visuals it can tell you

looking at the visuals it can tell you

looking at the visuals it can tell you that actually you don’t belong or as we

that actually you don’t belong or as we

that actually you don’t belong or as we like to say in South Africa you’re not

like to say in South Africa you’re not

like to say in South Africa you’re not stealing you’re not the main person

stealing you’re not the main person

stealing you’re not the main person right so then for us then I just found

right so then for us then I just found

right so then for us then I just found this very puzzling and when I did the

this very puzzling and when I did the

this very puzzling and when I did the research at the time I found that only

research at the time I found that only

research at the time I found that only 17% of of stories are in African

17% of of stories are in African

17% of of stories are in African languages only 17% that included all the

languages only 17% that included all the

languages only 17% that included all the genres so not just the children so once

genres so not just the children so once

genres so not just the children so once you get to children it was even smaller

you get to children it was even smaller

you get to children it was even smaller less than that and I found that then

less than that and I found that then

less than that and I found that then this was actually very puzzling because

this was actually very puzzling because

this was actually very puzzling because we are actually missing a big

we are actually missing a big

we are actually missing a big opportunity to deliberately empower our

opportunity to deliberately empower our

opportunity to deliberately empower our children through the images that they

children through the images that they

children through the images that they see and through the languages in which

see and through the languages in which

see and through the languages in which they read their books and it’s also very

they read their books and it’s also very

they read their books and it’s also very it was also very puzzling for me in

it was also very puzzling for me in

it was also very puzzling for me in terms of the educational piece as well

terms of the educational piece as well

terms of the educational piece as well that the Department of Education and the

that the Department of Education and the

that the Department of Education and the Department of arts and culture could do

Department of arts and culture could do

Department of arts and culture could do so much more in terms of getting those

so much more in terms of getting those

so much more in terms of getting those stories into that space I’m happy to say

stories into that space I’m happy to say

stories into that space I’m happy to say though 10 years later there’s a lot that

though 10 years later there’s a lot that

though 10 years later there’s a lot that has been moved in in that arena but the

has been moved in in that arena but the

has been moved in in that arena but the other thing that was also very important

other thing that was also very important

other thing that was also very important was that if we are then going to make

was that if we are then going to make

was that if we are then going to make sure that our children understand who

sure that our children understand who

sure that our children understand who they are the story is also very powerful

they are the story is also very powerful

they are the story is also very powerful from a sense of imagination when you

from a sense of imagination when you

from a sense of imagination when you read a book you locate yourself in that

read a book you locate yourself in that

read a book you locate yourself in that book you you you learn from that book

book you you you learn from that book

book you you you learn from that book you wanna you want to be able to like

you wanna you want to be able to like

you wanna you want to be able to like the hero and heroine in the book be able

the hero and heroine in the book be able

the hero and heroine in the book be able to then think believe that you can do

to then think believe that you can do

to then think believe that you can do anything you want to do and be anything

anything you want to do and be anything

anything you want to do and be anything that you want to do so when we’re

that you want to do so when we’re

that you want to do so when we’re building up our children to then take

building up our children to then take

building up our children to then take over and and build this economy and come

over and and build this economy and come

over and and build this economy and come up with local solutions

up with local solutions

up with local solutions and be the the innovators and and the

and be the the innovators and and the

and be the the innovators and and the the inventors and the entrepreneurs of

the inventors and the entrepreneurs of

the inventors and the entrepreneurs of of Africa then by by the stories that

of Africa then by by the stories that

of Africa then by by the stories that were telling them when they still

were telling them when they still

were telling them when they still excluded and alienating were actually

excluded and alienating were actually

excluded and alienating were actually doing the opposite

doing the opposite

doing the opposite so with this then in mind I had this

so with this then in mind I had this

so with this then in mind I had this crazy idea that I’m gonna change the

crazy idea that I’m gonna change the

crazy idea that I’m gonna change the situation yeah so what about I mean so

situation yeah so what about I mean so

situation yeah so what about I mean so we started out then by saying okay let’s

we started out then by saying okay let’s

we started out then by saying okay let’s start out with the content that we have

start out with the content that we have

start out with the content that we have so looking at the content we then had

so looking at the content we then had

so looking at the content we then had Lula and level stories that we created

Lula and level stories that we created

Lula and level stories that we created it was very important in terms of the

it was very important in terms of the

it was very important in terms of the images that we used Luna whose full name

images that we used Luna whose full name

images that we used Luna whose full name is Lu Lama and which is a person name

is Lu Lama and which is a person name

is Lu Lama and which is a person name which means meek and soft-spoken but

which means meek and soft-spoken but

which means meek and soft-spoken but trust me Lula is anything but that then

trust me Lula is anything but that then

trust me Lula is anything but that then there’s laybourn LeBeau han which means

there’s laybourn LeBeau han which means

there’s laybourn LeBeau han which means to give thanks and to be thankful her

to give thanks and to be thankful her

to give thanks and to be thankful her younger brother so these stories then

younger brother so these stories then

younger brother so these stories then went around these two characters and we

went around these two characters and we

went around these two characters and we also then wanted to make sure that her

also then wanted to make sure that her

also then wanted to make sure that her hair is something that children can

hair is something that children can

hair is something that children can relate to you know the tone of their

relate to you know the tone of their

relate to you know the tone of their skin is something that other children

skin is something that other children

skin is something that other children can relate to and mind you when we said

can relate to and mind you when we said

can relate to and mind you when we said that we’re going to put them on the

that we’re going to put them on the

that we’re going to put them on the cover we had quite a few people telling

cover we had quite a few people telling

cover we had quite a few people telling us that no one’s gonna buy a book with a

us that no one’s gonna buy a book with a

us that no one’s gonna buy a book with a black child on the cover 15,000 books so

black child on the cover 15,000 books so

black child on the cover 15,000 books so [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] so we went about creating these these

so we went about creating these these

so we went about creating these these story books we also very deliberately

story books we also very deliberately

story books we also very deliberately created them in a urban setting again

created them in a urban setting again

created them in a urban setting again we’ve got different contexts

we’ve got different contexts

we’ve got different contexts it’s not just one side of the story or

it’s not just one side of the story or

it’s not just one side of the story or the narrative that that I have seen and

the narrative that that I have seen and

the narrative that that I have seen and then in addition to that we then saw how

then in addition to that we then saw how

then in addition to that we then saw how can we infuse our African culture into

can we infuse our African culture into

can we infuse our African culture into these stories so simple things like

these stories so simple things like

these stories so simple things like greeting very important in African

greeting very important in African

greeting very important in African culture the so the storybook shopping

culture the so the storybook shopping

culture the so the storybook shopping day is actually a to teach children how

day is actually a to teach children how

day is actually a to teach children how to greet and different ways of greeting

to greet and different ways of greeting

to greet and different ways of greeting and the fact that when you enter a room

and the fact that when you enter a room

and the fact that when you enter a room you must acknowledge the other person

you must acknowledge the other person

you must acknowledge the other person and if you think about it in so subtle

and if you think about it in so subtle

and if you think about it in so subtle the way that we agree to say hello you

the way that we agree to say hello you

the way that we agree to say hello you would say okay or the guy which actually

would say okay or the guy which actually

would say okay or the guy which actually means where are you to which the

means where are you to which the

means where are you to which the response is getting I am here in this

response is getting I am here in this

response is getting I am here in this Azul is Sal born I see you

Azul is Sal born I see you

Azul is Sal born I see you so it’s deeper than just okay yes we’ve

so it’s deeper than just okay yes we’ve

so it’s deeper than just okay yes we’ve got our casual ways of saying it but

got our casual ways of saying it but

got our casual ways of saying it but it’s deeper and and I think that must

it’s deeper and and I think that must

it’s deeper and and I think that must not be missed in terms of the importance

not be missed in terms of the importance

not be missed in terms of the importance of why we say when you enter a room you

of why we say when you enter a room you

of why we say when you enter a room you acknowledge a person because you’re

acknowledge a person because you’re

acknowledge a person because you’re saying I see you how where are you I am

saying I see you how where are you I am

saying I see you how where are you I am here and how we then as a society gonna

here and how we then as a society gonna

here and how we then as a society gonna start to understand one another

start to understand one another

start to understand one another if you can’t even acknowledge my

if you can’t even acknowledge my

if you can’t even acknowledge my presence so that was the rule and there

presence so that was the rule and there

presence so that was the rule and there were series and in addition to the

were series and in addition to the

were series and in addition to the ludendi boosters and the many adventures

ludendi boosters and the many adventures

ludendi boosters and the many adventures that they went on as a family we also

that they went on as a family we also

that they went on as a family we also then did a folk tale series a folk tale

then did a folk tale series a folk tale

then did a folk tale series a folk tale sorry called how the line got its wrong

sorry called how the line got its wrong

sorry called how the line got its wrong with oh man clean and prepare the queen

with oh man clean and prepare the queen

with oh man clean and prepare the queen of of storytelling was internationally

of of storytelling was internationally

of of storytelling was internationally renowned as a storyteller that was also

renowned as a storyteller that was also

renowned as a storyteller that was also another really wonderful thing to be

another really wonderful thing to be

another really wonderful thing to be able to work with her but also the

able to work with her but also the

able to work with her but also the support that we got from the from the

support that we got from the from the

support that we got from the from the essay book development council in

essay book development council in

essay book development council in addition to to that kind of support

addition to to that kind of support

addition to to that kind of support we also got international support

we also got international support

we also got international support recognition we got approved by the

recognition we got approved by the

recognition we got approved by the Department of Education Department of

Department of Education Department of

Department of Education Department of Arts and Culture we got accolades all

Arts and Culture we got accolades all

Arts and Culture we got accolades all around and I think more than just the

around and I think more than just the

around and I think more than just the accolade itself it was actually just a

accolade itself it was actually just a

accolade itself it was actually just a validation that that crazy idea that as

validation that that crazy idea that as

validation that that crazy idea that as a black person in Africa I can be

a black person in Africa I can be

a black person in Africa I can be present visually is actually not such a

present visually is actually not such a

present visually is actually not such a crazy idea so with that then in mind we

crazy idea so with that then in mind we

crazy idea so with that then in mind we had this wonderful content we had this

had this wonderful content we had this

had this wonderful content we had this great feedback from from from different

great feedback from from from different

great feedback from from from different from different people and so it was

from different people and so it was

from different people and so it was really wonderful were on to a good thing

really wonderful were on to a good thing

really wonderful were on to a good thing okay but it’s no good having these books

okay but it’s no good having these books

okay but it’s no good having these books just sitting in the warehouse right so

just sitting in the warehouse right so

just sitting in the warehouse right so enter distribution distribution

enter distribution distribution

enter distribution distribution separates the girls from the women

separates the girls from the women

separates the girls from the women that’s where it gets real I’m telling

that’s where it gets real I’m telling

that’s where it gets real I’m telling you content is ego distribution is

you content is ego distribution is

you content is ego distribution is reality okay so how do we go about the

reality okay so how do we go about the

reality okay so how do we go about the distribution then so first of all we

distribution then so first of all we

distribution then so first of all we went to retail because again remember

went to retail because again remember

went to retail because again remember that was where it was you know the idea

that was where it was you know the idea

that was where it was you know the idea was born then why can’t we get into

was born then why can’t we get into

was born then why can’t we get into retail we got into quite a big retail

retail we got into quite a big retail

retail we got into quite a big retail chain wonderful excitement

chain wonderful excitement

chain wonderful excitement and grades they’re gonna bring in orders

and grades they’re gonna bring in orders

and grades they’re gonna bring in orders this is it’s gonna retire rich young

this is it’s gonna retire rich young

this is it’s gonna retire rich young okay reality is that they take up to 45

okay reality is that they take up to 45

okay reality is that they take up to 45 to 50 percent of your retail price so

to 50 percent of your retail price so

to 50 percent of your retail price so cash flow is just non-existent so your

cash flow is just non-existent so your

cash flow is just non-existent so your margins are just killed from the get-go

margins are just killed from the get-go

margins are just killed from the get-go so that’s the reality of retail and

so that’s the reality of retail and

so that’s the reality of retail and that’s we at that they are actually

that’s we at that they are actually

that’s we at that they are actually dominant in the space and as a small

dominant in the space and as a small

dominant in the space and as a small player as a start-up there isn’t really

player as a start-up there isn’t really

player as a start-up there isn’t really much that you can do about that but

much that you can do about that but

much that you can do about that but that’s fine as an entrepreneur you keep

that’s fine as an entrepreneur you keep

that’s fine as an entrepreneur you keep the hustle going right so besides the

the hustle going right so besides the

the hustle going right so besides the retailers then we also then looked at

retailers then we also then looked at

retailers then we also then looked at direct and direct was always so it’s

direct and direct was always so it’s

direct and direct was always so it’s either pop-up stores either book fairs

either pop-up stores either book fairs

either pop-up stores either book fairs with the boot of my car my hand

with the boot of my car my hand

with the boot of my car my hand I was that woman who had about a book in

I was that woman who had about a book in

I was that woman who had about a book in her bag and would come upon unsuspecting

her bag and would come upon unsuspecting

her bag and would come upon unsuspecting people in the mall if I saw you with the

people in the mall if I saw you with the

people in the mall if I saw you with the time I’m like oh I’ve got the perfect

time I’m like oh I’ve got the perfect

time I’m like oh I’ve got the perfect thing here you go you know and our books

thing here you go you know and our books

thing here you go you know and our books are bilingual so it’ll be English with

are bilingual so it’ll be English with

are bilingual so it’ll be English with soso – English with so it’s like no no

soso – English with so it’s like no no

soso – English with so it’s like no no actually we speak so it’s fine I Papa

actually we speak so it’s fine I Papa

actually we speak so it’s fine I Papa Zulu it’s fine whatever you need you

Zulu it’s fine whatever you need you

Zulu it’s fine whatever you need you know so the hospital is just there to

know so the hospital is just there to

know so the hospital is just there to get that cash flow going and then

get that cash flow going and then

get that cash flow going and then besides besides besides the the direct

besides besides besides the the direct

besides besides besides the the direct we also did some international book

we also did some international book

we also did some international book fairs which was which was great we had

fairs which was which was great we had

fairs which was which was great we had an online store at some point as well

an online store at some point as well

an online store at some point as well and I’ll never forget when we got our

and I’ll never forget when we got our

and I’ll never forget when we got our first on international order I was so

first on international order I was so

first on international order I was so excited I ran up to my husband I’m like

excited I ran up to my husband I’m like

excited I ran up to my husband I’m like we caught an international order and

we caught an international order and

we caught an international order and he’s like where no one we know

he’s like where no one we know

he’s like where no one we know and I’m like no one we know a complete

and I’m like no one we know a complete

and I’m like no one we know a complete stranger I don’t know this person

stranger I don’t know this person

stranger I don’t know this person and that was again just validating the

and that was again just validating the

and that was again just validating the story and the notion and just the fact

story and the notion and just the fact

story and the notion and just the fact that a child can be on the cover of a

that a child can be on the cover of a

that a child can be on the cover of a book and the fact that we’ve got so many

book and the fact that we’ve got so many

book and the fact that we’ve got so many stories that action needs to be told and

stories that action needs to be told and

stories that action needs to be told and people are hungry to hear them it’s

people are hungry to hear them it’s

people are hungry to hear them it’s really just about how do you connect the

really just about how do you connect the

really just about how do you connect the content with the market we did libraries

content with the market we did libraries

content with the market we did libraries we did schools both public and private

we did schools both public and private

we did schools both public and private it wasn’t until we did rural schools

it wasn’t until we did rural schools

it wasn’t until we did rural schools that the impact that we were the other

that the impact that we were the other

that the impact that we were the other side of the impact that we were having

side of the impact that we were having

side of the impact that we were having actually just hit home it turns out that

actually just hit home it turns out that

actually just hit home it turns out that in South Africa only 7% of our schools

in South Africa only 7% of our schools

in South Africa only 7% of our schools have functioning libraries so access to

have functioning libraries so access to

have functioning libraries so access to books is a real problem and what we then

books is a real problem and what we then

books is a real problem and what we then found was that through our books we were

found was that through our books we were

found was that through our books we were actually killing two birds with one

actually killing two birds with one

actually killing two birds with one stone we were getting access we were

stone we were getting access we were

stone we were getting access we were getting them the books so from a

getting them the books so from a

getting them the books so from a literacy perspective we were having an

literacy perspective we were having an

literacy perspective we were having an impact but we were also then getting

impact but we were also then getting

impact but we were also then getting books that would then fill them with

books that would then fill them with

books that would then fill them with pride and with self-esteem and really

pride and with self-esteem and really

pride and with self-esteem and really just connect them with the fact that I

just connect them with the fact that I

just connect them with the fact that I can be on a cover of a book that my

can be on a cover of a book that my

can be on a cover of a book that my story also matters and it’s really that

story also matters and it’s really that

story also matters and it’s really that that then really then drove a lot of the

that then really then drove a lot of the

that then really then drove a lot of the the distribution actually but it just

the distribution actually but it just

the distribution actually but it just drove that bigger purpose of what it is

drove that bigger purpose of what it is

drove that bigger purpose of what it is that we’re doing and why we’re doing it

that we’re doing and why we’re doing it

that we’re doing and why we’re doing it so we would do container libraries we

so we would do container libraries we

so we would do container libraries we would take them to the rural areas I’ve

would take them to the rural areas I’ve

would take them to the rural areas I’ve traveled quite a lot in terms of some of

traveled quite a lot in terms of some of

traveled quite a lot in terms of some of the places that we would go to and the

the places that we would go to and the

the places that we would go to and the excitement when we arrived there and the

excitement when we arrived there and the

excitement when we arrived there and the kids see these books was just amazing

kids see these books was just amazing

kids see these books was just amazing and they would unpack them we’d also

and they would unpack them we’d also

and they would unpack them we’d also bring in their parents as well and the

bring in their parents as well and the

bring in their parents as well and the teachers so that they have a sense of

teachers so that they have a sense of

teachers so that they have a sense of ownership of the books and the library

ownership of the books and the library

ownership of the books and the library that’s going to be used and the

that’s going to be used and the

that’s going to be used and the excitement as you’re unpacking them to

excitement as you’re unpacking them to

excitement as you’re unpacking them to hear the parents already and the

hear the parents already and the

hear the parents already and the teachers already saying okay so we’re

teachers already saying okay so we’re

teachers already saying okay so we’re gonna extend this as part of that corner

gonna extend this as part of that corner

gonna extend this as part of that corner library we had and we’re gonna check in

library we had and we’re gonna check in

library we had and we’re gonna check in on the kids are gonna and this is as

on the kids are gonna and this is as

on the kids are gonna and this is as were unpacking them and that was really

were unpacking them and that was really

were unpacking them and that was really just priceless in terms of that kind of

just priceless in terms of that kind of

just priceless in terms of that kind of impact that you can have we also then

impact that you can have we also then

impact that you can have we also then created a campaign called give books

created a campaign called give books

created a campaign called give books change lives and this was an opportunity

change lives and this was an opportunity

change lives and this was an opportunity for people to be able to buy the books

for people to be able to buy the books

for people to be able to buy the books and then be able to to take them we just

and then be able to to take them we just

and then be able to to take them we just distribute them to NGOs who were in the

distribute them to NGOs who were in the

distribute them to NGOs who were in the literary space again just ensuring that

literary space again just ensuring that

literary space again just ensuring that you would be able to have the impact of

you would be able to have the impact of

you would be able to have the impact of the usage of of of the books and we know

the usage of of of the books and we know

the usage of of of the books and we know as well that the impact of investing in

as well that the impact of investing in

as well that the impact of investing in education especially at the foundation

education especially at the foundation

education especially at the foundation fades just brings back returns more than

fades just brings back returns more than

fades just brings back returns more than any other phase of education so if you

any other phase of education so if you

any other phase of education so if you build that found

build that found

build that found early through literacy but at the same

early through literacy but at the same

early through literacy but at the same time building that sense of pride and

time building that sense of pride and

time building that sense of pride and recognition then that is the that is

recognition then that is the that is

recognition then that is the that is where the magic comes in in terms of

where the magic comes in in terms of

where the magic comes in in terms of investing in our future

investing in our future

investing in our future and through our children so with that in

and through our children so with that in

and through our children so with that in mind then from a distribution

mind then from a distribution

mind then from a distribution perspective I must say it takes a

perspective I must say it takes a

perspective I must say it takes a village to distribute 15,000 books so

village to distribute 15,000 books so

village to distribute 15,000 books so along this journey we had so much help

along this journey we had so much help

along this journey we had so much help from people who really just bought into

from people who really just bought into

from people who really just bought into what it is that we were doing so we had

what it is that we were doing so we had

what it is that we were doing so we had you know from from art from our lawyer

you know from from art from our lawyer

you know from from art from our lawyer from from legal advice to the financials

from from legal advice to the financials

from from legal advice to the financials to marketing at some point one of one of

to marketing at some point one of one of

to marketing at some point one of one of my friends was like Oh everyone’s doing

my friends was like Oh everyone’s doing

my friends was like Oh everyone’s doing something for poor like this is just

something for poor like this is just

something for poor like this is just everyone is coming in and getting

everyone is coming in and getting

everyone is coming in and getting involved in one way or the other I mean

involved in one way or the other I mean

involved in one way or the other I mean any kind of input that you need from a

any kind of input that you need from a

any kind of input that you need from a business perspective we had friends

business perspective we had friends

business perspective we had friends coming along and just helping out in one

coming along and just helping out in one

coming along and just helping out in one way or the other

way or the other

way or the other and to me yes it was about you know

and to me yes it was about you know

and to me yes it was about you know helping because this is the new startup

helping because this is the new startup

helping because this is the new startup business and and the like but more than

business and and the like but more than

business and and the like but more than that I think it spoke to the fact that

that I think it spoke to the fact that

that I think it spoke to the fact that there is that bigger understanding and

there is that bigger understanding and

there is that bigger understanding and support that people had in the mission

support that people had in the mission

support that people had in the mission and Bend and the purpose that we were

and Bend and the purpose that we were

and Bend and the purpose that we were trying to do in terms of getting our

trying to do in terms of getting our

trying to do in terms of getting our local content out into the market so

with that in mind where are we now

with that in mind where are we now so the picture has changed slightly

so the picture has changed slightly

so the picture has changed slightly so that’s 17 percent of African content

so that’s 17 percent of African content

so that’s 17 percent of African content or languages is now sitting at about 20

or languages is now sitting at about 20

or languages is now sitting at about 20 percent I think in terms of children’s

percent I think in terms of children’s

percent I think in terms of children’s mark children’s books

mark children’s books

mark children’s books it is also starting

it is also starting

it is also starting slightly change but actually if you

slightly change but actually if you

slightly change but actually if you think about the fact that children from

think about the fact that children from

think about the fact that children from nine years and younger in South Africa

nine years and younger in South Africa

nine years and younger in South Africa we have about 10 million children in

we have about 10 million children in

we have about 10 million children in that age group the 15,000 that we did is

that age group the 15,000 that we did is

that age group the 15,000 that we did is a drop in the ocean and the fact that

a drop in the ocean and the fact that

a drop in the ocean and the fact that when you walk through our public spaces

when you walk through our public spaces

when you walk through our public spaces you also don’t have that sense still

you also don’t have that sense still

you also don’t have that sense still that we are making that dent and that we

that we are making that dent and that we

that we are making that dent and that we are actually present so there is still a

are actually present so there is still a

are actually present so there is still a lot more that needs to be done there’s a

lot more that needs to be done there’s a

lot more that needs to be done there’s a lot that needs to be done from a Content

lot that needs to be done from a Content

lot that needs to be done from a Content perspective we’ve got the stories we

perspective we’ve got the stories we

perspective we’ve got the stories we need to get them out and we need to get

need to get them out and we need to get

need to get them out and we need to get them out with urgency if we are going to

them out with urgency if we are going to

them out with urgency if we are going to then build up our children to be able to

then build up our children to be able to

then build up our children to be able to believe that they can change our economy

believe that they can change our economy

believe that they can change our economy they can change our society they do have

they can change our society they do have

they can change our society they do have a valuable contribution to make from

a valuable contribution to make from

a valuable contribution to make from local solutions then we do need to get

local solutions then we do need to get

local solutions then we do need to get more of those stories out and what’s

My journey of 15000 African Storybooks | Nthabi Sibanda | TEDxLytteltonWomen

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