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, hindering 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: Timeless Tales for Every Child

FableReads is a free, ad-free global platform sharing timeless fables in multiple languages to read and listen to. Its mission is simple: to make the world’s stories accessible to every child, everywhere.

Currently offering fables in 12 languages, the platform is now fundraising to expand its reach - starting with isiXhosa.

Introducing the #FableItForward isiXhosa Campaign

This Heritage Month, FableReads launches #FableItForward - a collaborative drive to translate, narrate, and deliver 25 global fables in isiXhosa, available both online and in print. Children will be able to 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,” - Polly Cordell, The Wireless.

A Heritage Day Call for Ubuntu in Action

With the generous support of The Wireless, which is contributing R100 000 in translation, narration, and production expertise, the campaign will:

• 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 fables from India, Greece, Japan, China, West Africa, and Germany.

• Print and distribute 250 copies to schools, libraries, and underserved communities.

  
  

FableReads aims to raise R200 000 to bring this vision to life - with a stretch goal to expand to more South African languages.

Why It Matters

To mark Heritage Day, the first five isiXhosa fables will debut on the FableReads blog, offering a preview of the magic to come.

Every donation to #FableItForward helps:

• Deliver high-quality, engaging content, retold and illustrated for today’s learners.

• Include reflection questions that nurture self-awareness, empathy, and moral reasoning.

• Build grassroots partnerships for authentic, lasting impact.

• Support a scalable vision to bring mother-tongue storytelling to more languages and communities.

September 2025 Edition

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

From a Father’s Search to a Global Platform

FableReads began with one father’s quest for meaningful, free stories. Unable to find ad-free, high-quality fables for his daughters, Anders Sundelin built what he couldn’t find. What started as a personal project has grown into a global storytelling platform, now ready to deepen its impact with community support.

How to Support #FableItForward

• Donate: BackaBuddy Campaign

• Share: Spread the word on social media with #FableItForward, #StoriesUniteUs, #Ubuntu, #Connected.

• Follow: Stay updated on Instagram @fablereads_com | @thewirelesssa and Facebook FableReads | The Wireless SA.

About FableReads

FableReads is a free, ad-free global platform sharing timeless tales in multiple languages to read and listen to. Through these stories, FableReads sparks imagination, inspires critical thinking, nurtures empathy, and fosters respect for diversity and universal values.

For more, visit: FableReads