Download PDF
Back to stories list

A girl opening a wooden window.

Zama ya ipitezi! Zama is great!

Written by Michael Oguttu

Illustrated by Vusi Malindi

Translated by Christabel Songiso, Akombelwa Muyangana

Read by Chrispin Musweu, Margaret Wamuwi Sililo

Language siLozi

Level Level 2

Narrate full story

Reading speed

Autoplay story


A boy sleeping in his bed and a girl sitting up in her bed stretching.

Munyenaka wa mushimani ulobalanga kakuliyeha. Napakelanga kakuli niipitezi!

My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!


A girl opening a wooden window.

Kina yaliselela mwakazazi.

I am the one who lets in the sun.


A woman standing in a bedroom doorway holding a bucket and a girl making her bed.

“Unaleli yakakusasani yaka,” Boma babulela.

“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.


A girl washing herself outside.

Naitapisanga na muñi, hani tokwi tuso.

I wash myself, I don’t need any help.


A girl leaning over a bucket washing her face.

Nakona kutapa mezi abata ni mulola wa bundilu onunka hande.

I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.


A woman thinking about brushing teeth and a girl brushing her teeth.

Boma bani hupulisanga kuli, “usike walibala kuzukuza meeno.” Mi naalaba nali, “Baatili, isike na!”

Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”


A girl waving at a man and woman.

Hasenifelize kutapa, nalumelisanga bokuku ba baana ni boma babainyani ni kubalakaleza lizazi lelinde.

After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.


A girl dressing herself and a woman sitting.

Cwale niitinisa liapalo, “nihulile cwale Ima,” na bulela.

Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.


A girl buckling up her shoes.

Nakona kuñomela likunupo ni kutama makanda a kwa makatulo aka.

I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.


A girl holding a bag walking and chatting to a boy with a backpack.

Mi nitalusezanga munyenaka wa mushimani kaufela zeezahala kwasikolo.

And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.


A teacher standing and four students learning.

Mwa kilasi nilika kueza hande kamonikonela kaufela.

In class I do my best in every way.


Children playing together in a playground.

Nieza lika ze kaufela zende kazazi ni zazi. Kono sika silisiñwi senilata hahulu ki kubapala ni kubapala!

I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!


Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Christabel Songiso, Akombelwa Muyangana
Read by: Chrispin Musweu, Margaret Wamuwi Sililo
Language: siLozi
Level: Level 2
Source: Zama is great! from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License.
Options
Back to stories list Download PDF