Heritage Month Initiative Brings Global Tales to isiXhosa, Showcasing Ubuntu in Action

Shape Futures and Connect Cultures This Heritage Month with #FableItForward

SOUTH AFRICA — 17 September 2025

Storytelling has always been the heartbeat of culture, carrying wisdom, values and lessons across generations. Stories educate, build empathy, spark critical thinking and open new worlds.

Yet many South African children lack access to high-quality resources affecting their foundational literacy skills: • 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning in any language (PIRLS 2021). • Only 35% of homes with children under 10 have children’s books (2023 National Reading Barometer).

FableReads is a free, ad-free global platform sharing timeless tales from around the world in multiple languages to read and listen to. Its mission is simple: to make the world’s fables accessible to all the world’s children.

The platform currently offers fables in 12 languages and is now fundraising to make more translations possible, starting with isiXhosa.

This Heritage Month, FableReads has launched the #FableItForward isiXhosa Campaign: a collaborative effort to translate, narrate and deliver 25 timeless global fables in isiXhosa, online and in print, so children can read, listen and grow in their mother tongue.

“Language is not just a tool; it’s a treasure. We’re bringing global tales to isiXhosa and sharing isiXhosa with the world - celebrating connection through story,” says Polly Cordell from The Wireless.

A Heritage Day Call for Ubuntu in Action

With the help of The Wireless, whose team is donating R100 000 worth of translation, narration and production expertise, this campaign aims to:

• Publish a full isiXhosa story collection with audio and reflection questions.
• Translate and localise the FableReads website for inclusive access.
• Produce a beautifully designed, activity-filled book featuring stories from India, Greece, Japan, China, West Africa and Germany.
• Print and distribute 250 copies directly to schools, libraries and communities in underserved areas.

FableReads is raising R200 000 to make this vision a reality, with a stretch goal to bring mother tongue magic to more South African official languages.

A Movement for Inclusion and Educational Equity

To mark Heritage Day, FableReads will release the first five fables on its blog, offering a glimpse of the magic The Wireless team is helping bring to life.

Every donation to this campaign helps shape futures while building a more inclusive, connected world.

• High-quality and engaging content: Each global tale is carefully selected for its universal wisdom, then retold and illustrated for today’s learners and story lovers.
• Reflection questions: Every fable is paired with prompts that encourage readers to reflect on beliefs and behaviours, nurture self-awareness and understanding of others, and build moral reasoning and respect for diversity and universal values.
• Grassroots partnerships: Books and resources will be distributed through trusted community networks, ensuring authenticity and impact.
• Scalable vision: A dedicated team oversees translation, design, platform development, distribution and impact reporting, laying the groundwork for strategic partnerships and funding to scale the initiative to more communities and languages over time.

“Together, we can connect hearts and ignite minds across generations and cultures, and create a more inclusive and compassionate world,” says Anders Sundelin, founder of FableReads.

From a Father’s Search to a Global Platform

FableReads began with one father’s search for meaningful stories. Founder Anders Sundelin

struggled to find free, high-quality, ad-free stories online to read to his daughters, so he created what he couldn’t find. What started as a parent’s solution has grown into a global storytelling platform, built and self-funded by Anders and two co-founders. With a small, dedicated team, FableReads is ready to deepen and widen its impact with the support of all who share this vision.

How to Support #FableItForward

• Donate via BackaBuddy on campaign called Shape Futures Connect Cultures for Heritage Day 
• Share the campaign on social media using #FableItForward, #StoriesUniteUs, #Ubuntu and #Connected.
• Follow FableReads and The Wireless for campaign updates, behind-the-scenes moments and impact stories.

Instagram: @fablereads_com | @thewirelesssa Facebook: FableReads | The Wireless SA

About FableReads

FableReads is a free, ad-free global platform sharing timeless tales from around the world in multiple languages to read and listen to. Its mission is to make the world’s fables accessible to all the world’s children. Through these stories, FableReads sparks imagination, inspires critical thinking, nurtures empathy and builds respect for diversity, universal values and our shared humanity.