The Day We Told Our Stories

image 1: participants of the Amabali Ephanyazo book making event

As many of us would know, stories shape how children see themselves and the world around them. When the books they read reflect familiar places, languages and experiences, reading becomes more than a classroom activity. It becomes a way of understanding that their own lives, communities and imaginations matter. That belief sits at the heart of Amabali Ephanyazo (Stories in a Flash), a book-making initiative we hosted in partnership with Book Dash that challenged local writers, illustrators, editors and designers to create four original children's books in just 12 hours.

The event was inspired by the Book Dash model, but its purpose extended far beyond producing books in a single day. While the books were completed in a day, the vision behind Amabali Ephanyazo had been 3 years in the making. It was about creating stories that children in rural communities can recognise as their own and demonstrating that powerful children's literature can be created anywhere.

image 2: the four teams behind Amabali Ephanyazo's first books

Throughout the day, ideas evolved into characters, sketches became illustrations, and rough concepts grew into beautifully designed books. The room buzzed with creativity, collaboration and purpose as each team worked against the clock. Friends and partners, including Tyume Valley Schools, joined as supporters, reinforcing what we have always believed: meaningful change happens when communities, educators and organisations create together.

For us, Amabali Ephanyazo is part of a broader commitment to strengthening literacy by ensuring children have access to stories that are both engaging and relatable. When children see their own communities reflected in books, they are more likely to connect with reading, develop confidence and see value in their own voices. The four books created through Amabali Ephanyazo are therefore more than stories; they are an investment in local creativity, a celebration of community collaboration, and a reminder that every child deserves to grow up knowing their story is worth telling. 

We are grateful to Book Dash for sharing their methodology so generously, and to every volunteer, creative and partner who made the day possible. 

We look forward to building on this momentum and bringing Amabali Ephanyazo back to Zithulele in 2027.