Africa-Press – Eswatini. In a vibrant effort to “illuminate the future of our children,” Imisebe Publishing visited Living Waters Primary School on February 4, 2026, to celebrate World Read Aloud Day.
The event, which is observed globally during the first week of February, saw the publishing house engaging directly with Grade 7 E pupils to promote a culture of literacy and multilingualism.
The session, held under the global theme “Celebrate Learning,” focused on the transformative power of sharing stories across different languages. Imisebe Publishing aims to equip the youth with essential skills in English, Siswati, and French, ensuring they are well-prepared for both local and international stages. The school’s leadership, led by Headteacher Celiwe Khumalo and Senior HOD Zoliswa Mabuza Sibandze, welcomed the initiative as a vital addition to the pupils’ academic development.
Speaking during the interactive session, Tony Mabaso, the Marketing Officer at Imisebe Publishing, emphasized the lifelong benefits of literacy. Accompanied by Andile Mavuso, Mabaso greeted the learners as “Uncle Tony,” immediately creating a rapport with the students.
“Imisebe is a publishing company and one of our missions is to promote and encourage the culture of reading amongst Emaswati,” Mabaso stated. He reminded the Grade 7 E class of the popular adage: “Readers are leaders. If you want to lead, you must read.”
Mabaso further explained that reading aloud under the 2026 theme performs three critical functions: it unlocks knowledge, shares knowledge, and expands knowledge. He encouraged the pupils to form reading groups to advocate for literacy within their own communities. “We want to encourage you guys to often form groups and select one or two members to read aloud, so you can share knowledge and strengthen community,” he urged.
The morning was filled with practical engagement as Sihlelelwe Dlamini and Sihlelelwe Sukati led the class in reading Siswati texts. This segment highlighted the importance of mother-tongue proficiency alongside foreign languages like French. The pupils showed great enthusiasm, participating in exercises that brought the written word to life.
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Sinayo Dlamini. She lauded the school administration and the leadership of Ms. Khumalo and Ms. Mabuza Sibandze for granting Imisebe Publishing the platform to foster a love for reading. By the end of the session, the “Celebrating Learning” initiative had successfully reinforced the idea that literacy is the key to “illuminating the future” for the next generation of Eswatini leaders.
