City libraries bring 1 000 Stories initiative to Khayelitsha families

14 September 2026

The City’s Khayelitsha libraries, in partnership with City Health’s Khayelitsha Day Hospital, took early literacy directly into the Khayelitsha community on 8 September, encouraging parents and caregivers to share 1 000 stories with children before they start school as part of International Literacy Day activities.

International Literacy Day is celebrated annually on 8 September to highlight global literacy challenges, promote human rights and create awareness.

The Khayelitsha Library team identified an opportunity to take the importance of literacy in early childhood directly into the community and engage young children, parents and caregivers.

Their ambitious event brought together Khayelitsha, Harare, Kuyasa and Moses Mabhida libraries, in partnership with the Khayelitsha Day Hospital.

The activation focused on encouraging parents and caregivers to introduce young children to the joy of books and storytelling from an early age, while highlighting the important role that libraries play in supporting children’s development before they even enter formal schooling.

Through storytelling, interactive engagement with children and conversations with parents and caregivers, library staff promoted the 1000 Stories initiative, which encourages families to share 1 000 stories with children before they start school.

‘Children’s books play an essential role in early learning, forming the building blocks of education, contracting, critical thinking and expanding the vocabulary of our youngest patrons. Reading, and enjoying stories, do more than just keep children busy. They are learning about the world around them and understanding how it works,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

The activation also brought a sense of fun and excitement to the literacy message, with Libby, the library mascot, joining in.

Literacy-focused organisations also participated, helping to reinforce the importance of a collaborative, community-wide approach to developing a culture of reading.

The partnership between Khayelitsha Libraries and Khayelitsha Day Hospital demonstrates how libraries and other City services can work together to reach families where they are and create meaningful opportunities for early learning.

By taking literacy beyond the library walls, the event helped connect parents and caregivers with resources, support and opportunities to make reading and storytelling part of everyday life.

The initiative was made possible through a partnership between Khayelitsha Library, Isivivana Library, Dlala Tata and Kapa Kaap Books.

Also yesterday, Eerste River Library spearheaded an event to encourage learners to discover the joy of reading and see their local library as a place where they can learn, explore and imagine.

They were joined by YearBeyond (a national youth service initiative) and the Department of Culture, Arts and Sport to host Grade 1 learners from Spurwing Primary in Eerste River.

The event aimed to help build a culture of reading amongst learners, young people and community members.

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