For generations, stories from South Africa's farm communities have been shared around kitchen tables, in school hostels, and at family gatherings. Rarely have they found their way into print. Now, pupils from Kgotsofalo Farm School have changed that through Dipale Tsa Rona Ho Tswa Sekolong Sa Polasi (Our Stories from the Farm School), a collection of short stories written entirely by children and published in Sesotho by the University of the Free State Library's African Language Press.
The publication is more than just a book. It is a celebration of language, literacy, identity, and the belief that every child has a story worth telling. Inspired by the realities of farm school life, the stories explore community relationships, personal experiences, everyday challenges, and values such as respect, perseverance, hard work, and ubuntu.
The launch brought together pupils, parents, educators, library professionals, and education sector officials to celebrate the young authors and their achievements. Copies of the book were presented to the learner authors and donated to the school library, ensuring that future generations will be able to read stories created by children from their own community.
"Farm learners have written a book. It's so amazing. Everybody is happy here."
She described the project as a milestone, not only for the children, but also for the wider farming community, who turned up to celebrate the launch.
"They don't even know what it is – how to write a book. It's a new thing for them. They only know that books are written by people from somewhere."
The success of the project has already inspired plans for the future.
"I plan to start the young writers again as early as Grade 4," Seapamore said.
Building literacy through mother-tongue storytelling
The educational significance of the publication extends far beyond a single book launch. According to Tshidi Ralepedi, Chief Education Specialist for Early Childhood Development and Primary Schooling in the Mangaung Metropolitan Education District, initiatives such as this help children develop both reading and writing skills while encouraging them to express themselves in their mother tongue.
"Our learners are now able to put their thoughts on paper. Our learners can put their ideas on paper. And this will be sustained forever and for the next generation also."
Ralepedi emphasised that child-authored books contribute directly to efforts to strengthen literacy and create a culture of reading.
"It will also promote reading. It will also promote writing. It will also instil the love of reading among our learners and among the community."
The project also aligns with broader efforts to expand African language reading materials and make learning resources more relevant to young readers' experiences.
Creating resources that reflect children’s realities
"Learners were able to produce resources for reading in their own language."
She added that stories written by children themselves are particularly valuable because they reflect children's lived realities and encourage community participation in education.
"This event has brought together parents and community figures, because now they know the importance of reading and books, and everybody is supporting."
Nurturing the next generation of African storytellers
For the University of the Free State Library's African Languages Press, the publication reflects a continued commitment to promoting African languages and creating spaces where young people can see themselves represented in literature. By placing the voices of farm school children in print, the project demonstrates what is possible when communities, schools, and institutions work together to nurture talent and create opportunities.
As Jeannet Molopyane, Director: Library and Information Services, explains: "At the University of the Free State African Languages Press, we believe in discovering, nurturing, and celebrating young writing talent. By empowering young authors to tell their own stories, we inspire a new generation to write, read, and dream in Sesotho."
Molopyane says initiatives such as Dipale Tsa Rona Ho Tswa Sekolong Sa Polasi do more than just produce a book. "Every story enriches the language, strengthens literacy, and affirms that the future of African languages is bright, vibrant, and full of limitless possibilities."
Dipale Tsa Rona Ho Tswa Sekolong Sa Polasi stands as a reminder that education is not only about access to books. It is also about creating opportunities for children to become authors of their own stories, custodians of their communities' voices, and active contributors to the growth and preservation of African languages.