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A girl opening a wooden window.

Zama ngwenya Zama is great!

Written by Michael Oguttu

Illustrated by Vusi Malindi

Translated by Ruthgela Shawanga

Language Thimbukushu

Level Level 2

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

Minange gho mungaghu mbadi ghararanga wangu. Ame kupinduka wangu yoyishi, ame ne no ngwenya.

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


A girl opening a wooden window.

Ame yame mutokerithi diyuwa.

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.

“Yowe katumwedhi kange”, ame wa nawe.

“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.


A girl washing herself outside.

Ame kukuyogha nothinda, mbadi nanyanda maghamweno.

I wash myself, I don’t need any help.


A girl leaning over a bucket washing her face.

Mbadi nayapa meyu gho matenda ngambi murora gho kunuka.

I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.


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

Nawe kuni vurukitha, “Wa vurama mayegho.” Ame ko kuhutha eshi, “Norofotji temba, ngwa mbadi yame!”

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


A girl waving at a man and woman.

Pa kumana kuyoghana, ame kumorora mama ghomukafumu na naweghana no kuwa fiyera diyuwa dyo diwa.

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


A girl dressing herself and a woman sitting.

Munyima kokuvata nothinda, no kughamba eshi “Nomukuru keho me nawe.”

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


A girl buckling up her shoes.

Kukona nikukopere mancanu ghange no kukughanga tukanda twange.

I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.


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

Kehepa nakonekanga eshi minange ghomumbiru gha dimuke mbudhi dhodhihe dho kushure.

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


A teacher standing and four students learning.

Mu ngonda ne kehepa kukondja nirughane thikuma mu kehe thirughana.

In class I do my best in every way.


Children playing together in a playground.

Ame kutenda eyi yinu yoyiwa kehe diyuwa. Ene thinu ethi na haka thikumenena ne kupepa!

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: Ruthgela Shawanga
Language: Thimbukushu
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.
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