'Story Bosso' storytelling competition announces finalists

Running throughout Literacy and Heritage Month in September 2015, the competition was designed as a nationwide talent search to excite people about reading and telling stories; identify undiscovered storytellers across the country and connect members of the public with a range of South African stories as well as tips and ideas on how to become better storytellers.

The judges were actress and writer, Lebogang Mashile; author and retired teacher, Sindiwe Magona; social activist and writer, Shaka Sisulu; comedian and author, Nik Rabinowitz; actress and author Bonnie Henna; children's author, Alan Glass; new-age performance poet and singer, Busiswa and TV presenter and radio personality, Elana Afrika.

Carole Bloch, Executive Director of PRAESA (the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa), which is driving the Nal'ibali campaign, says, "As people living in South Africa, we have a deep history of storytelling which reflects our diversity and our common cultural heritage. Moreover, reading and storytelling are keys that unlock children's literacy learning potential."

The winner will be announced on Monday 30 November and he or she will take home not only the title, a R5000 cash prize, a R 1000 Ackermans voucher and a home library, courtesy of Bargain Books, Exclusive Books and local publishers, but will also receive a visit from a participating celebrity judge. The runners-up will each receive R2500 in cash, a R500 Ackermans voucher and a home library.

Storyteller nominees

1. Atang Makgata - Story title: A Dream About the Enchanted Forest. Category: Original. Language: English. Age: 12

2. Athandiwe Skade - Story title: Umboleki. Category: Retelling. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 7
3. Busisiwe Smith - Story title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Category: Retelling. Language: isiZulu. Age: 30
4. Chiara Dover - Story title: Probleme in die Droombos. Category: Read aloud. Language: Afrikaans. Age: 9
5. Edith Makola - Story title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Category: Retelling. Language: English
6. Funeka Soga - Story title: Lucy learns her ABC's. Category: Original. Language: English Age: 24
7. Horacio Ngovene - Story title: The Lion and the Little Mouse. Category: Re-telling. Language: English. Age: 21
8. Kerrin Kokot and Jayne Batzofin (team entry) - Story title: The Lonely Frog. Category: Original. Language: English & Sign. Age: 33 and 31
9. Kholeka Gwendolien Nojilawa - Story title: The Granny with her Grandchildren Living in the Big Forest. Category: Retelling. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 51
10. Lisa Gebe - Story title: The Lion and the Mouse. Category: Read aloud. Language: English. Age: 11
11. Nozipho Thsabalala - Story title: The Lion and the Mouse. Category: Retelling. Language: isiZulu. Age: 5
12. Nyameka Combi - Story title: Lisa's First Day at Harare Library. Category: Original. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 33
13. Olwethu Peter - Story title: The Hyena and the Seven Little Kids. Category: Read aloud. Language: isiXhosa. Age: 9
14. Sihle Mncwabe - Story title: Everything is Rosy. Category: Read aloud. Language: English

15. The Bright Sparks Dancing Pencils Writing Club (team entry) - Story title: The Golden Thread by Aaliyah Monga (club member). Category: Read aloud. Language: English. Club leader: Maimoonah Asiya Gori, 51. Club members: Muhammad Kaamil Bux, 11; Fathima Mohammed, 9; Husna Adam, 8; Yumna Bux, 8; Haadiya Monga, 9; Tasneem Sheriff, 9; Mahdiyah Moola, 10; Aaliyah Monga, 8; Yusrah Seja, 10; Mohammed Ameen Yousoof, 10; Mariam Seedat, 12.

Members of the public will be able to access and enjoy all 15 shortlisted stories in the form of audio and video clips on the Nal'ibali website, www.nalibali.org, for the month of November.