Description
ULanga uhlala nogogo wakhe ekhaya. Yena nogogo bangabangani beqiniso.
Langa lives with granny at home. They are best friends.
Umbhali (Writer): Siya Masuku
Umhleli (Editor): Mpumie Njobe
Umdwebi (Illustrator): Siya Masuku
Umqophi (Designer): Siya Masuku
Yashicilelwa (Published): 2019
Abashicileli (Publisher): Siyafunda Online
Ifomethi (Format): Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-639-94-970-3
Ulimi (Language): isiZulu
Amakhasi (Pages): 32
Ubukhulu (Size): 200mm X 200mm
Isisindo (Weight): 20gm
Ubuningi (Quantity): 1
Intengiso (Price): R150
Lorraine Sithole, aka, @bookcoverer on Instagram –
After a marathon 4-day weekend of books @franlitfest, I was all booked-out and longed for a lighter read to rebalance my equilibrium.
Well, I picked up #uLanga which @siyamasuku, author-illustrator-publisher sent to me 2 weeks ago.
I was excited because my baby, @child_u_r_loved is Langalamajobe and the comic is written in isiZulu. We are 5 months into UNESCO’S INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MOTHER TONGUE with little physical output to show of it.
@siyamasuku has immortalised my son into a hero. Next time @child_u_r_loved asks me, “Mama, which one is me?” I will be able to point out that: THIS IS YOU. NORMAL MELANIN RICH BOY. NO SUPERPOWERS. SPEAKING ISIZULU. DOING NORMAL EVERYDAY THINGS. YOU ARE SPECIAL JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE LOVED, AND SEEN AND APPRECIATED.
Beautiful everyday storyline. Beautiful everyday characters. uGogo, friends, doing everyday things. I love the size of the book. Just right for cute little hands to page through. The glossy paper is easy to wipe spills from and is durable. This story will be read over and over in my house.
More than that, this comic is a great way for children and adults alike to read isiZulu. Literacy is not just the ability to speak a language, the reading and writing is of paramount importance. Everyday interaction with mother tongue strengthens the spiritual connection to the ancestors and deepens the roots of identity. A reading nation, in its mother tongue, is able to archive its history and stories in the most authentic way. A way which records its voices (tastes, smells, sights) for posterity.
Congratulations @siyamasuku for showing our boys and girls that YOU IS IMPORTANT. YOU IS BEAUTIFUL.YOU IS KIND. Couldn’t help but quote “The Help” from #KatherineStockett
Rebecca Phala, Editor Scream Magazine and radio talk show host –
The biggest reason most parents and guardians purchase children’s books are so they help improve their children’s vocabulary and ignite a curious thinking process. Reading as a third speaker of isiZulu, authored brilliantly by Siya Masuku, uLanga was such a pleasure and an easy educational read.
The reader is introduced to the main character who has been sent on a chore and returns in the late hours not having done the chore. The biggest lesson one derives from uLanga is that children will go astray every once in a while, but sometimes they can just be told to avoid misbehaving as opposed to getting a beating. Siya delivered that message very clear in an intriguing graphic book.
About the reviewer: Rebecca Phala is a graduate of political studies from the University of Limpopo, Editor of youth magazine Scream Magazine Polokwane, Broadcast journalist and Talk show Host on Energy FM and Choice FM and an avid reader and reviewer of African.
Bush Mahlathini. –
uLanga is a children’s picture book written(in isiZulu) and illustrated by Siya Masuku. Self-published under the graphic novelist’s Siyafunda Online publication the book is the sequel to Siya Masuku’s comic debut, uNjabulo: emkhathini. uLanga is Njabulo’s friend and the two have a very interesting friendship as they have very different personalities and also aspire to be in different career paths, or so to speak. Through these characters’ differences, the author seeks to inform children of the many possibilities, in terms of career and life paths, that are available to them in modern society as opposed to the few conventional roles that could be allocated to men and women in traditional folklore and in history.
It can not be denied that careful consideration and painstaking planning went in to the making of uLanga the result of which is too ishuuu!
uLanga is a well crafted and engaging story which is very relatable to many little kids across South Africa and we recommend that you go and get it for your children, nieces, Godchildren and baby siblings.
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