Meet one of our local authors and teachers who started her own publishing company to encourage the love of reading amongst our youth.
Nokuphiwe Nala is a Foundation Phase teacher and author with a vision to bring the love of books and reading to as many children as possible. According to statistics from the Department of Education, there has been a decrease in the number of children who can read for enjoyment or meaning. During Nokuphiwe’s years as a teacher, she has witnessed a decline in children’s love of reading, including proficiency in reading. She aims to improve this one book at a time through her self-publishing business PhiweNala Publishers, which she opened in 2023 with her first book titled Stop Bullying My Afro.
She saw a gap in the market and wanted to publish children’s books that were easy to relate to and that would cultivate a passion for reading amongst learners. “We need a reading nation in our communities, who will later contribute to our country’s economy,” she shared. Most of her books explore themes around self-awareness and developing self-esteem. One of her recent books, Tommy the Yellow Tippy Truck, has sold over 50 copies thus far, and many relate to its story. It touches on topics such as self-acceptance, being unique, embracing our differences and strengths, and feelings of being the odd one out, which can be a painful experience for young children when they are around their peers or bullied. “When doing school readings, they always want me to repeat the story, and they enjoy the ending,” shared Nokuphiwe.
The Department of Basic Education aims to ensure all children will be able to read for understanding by 2030, which is why fostering reading skills in the Foundation Phase is so vital. With six children’s books published so far, one being a short story, Nokuphiwe is a proud contributor to making this goal a reality. She has partnered with Inchanga, Hillcrest, and Bessie Head libraries. She has also been working with various schools to have her books included in their curriculum. She aims to make her books as widely available as possible across more local establishments, including offering them as eBooks to accommodate many children who use their phones. For more information on where to find and order her books, she can be contacted via the email below.