Masifunde Sonke: Let Us Read Together is an exciting initiative, providing a two-way exchange between the United States and South Africa. The Masifunde Sonke collection of 30 books and an audiotape was selected by a committee of educators and community leaders, who chose the material based upon their literary excellence and incorporation of themes of justice, hope, and renewal. All of the books in the collection were written and illustrated by South Africans.

Since 2006, Masifunde Sonke has given individuals and families in the United States access to these inspiring books, bringing the joy of South African children’s literature into our homes and schools. Additionally, for every book purchased in the United States, South Africa Partners donates a book in the purchaser's name to an under-funded school in South Africa. This means that the initiative is also promoting literacy and a joy of reading among students in South Africa by providing them with books that reflect their own experiences. Finally, the project continues to strengthen and support the South African publishing industry, by increasing the demand for these resources.

To date, individuals, schools, families, and organizations from across the United States have purchased and donated over 6,000 wonderful books from this inspiring project.

To purchase books from Masifunde Sonke: Let Us Read Together, please visit our online bookshop at www.sapartners.org/bookshop.

A reader enjoys books from the Masifunde Sonke Project at the Melani School. (Credit Rachel Knight.)

Former SA Partners Staff Member Kate Sipples, Sandile Sisulu, author Elinor Sisulu, Nombulelo Baba of the Centre for the Book, and author Sindiwe Magona at the Cambridge Public Library on July 10, 2008 (Credit Mary Tiseo)

Atticus Olivet peruses the books in the Masifunde Sonke Collection at the Nelson Mandela’s Favorite Folktales Audiobook Party on November 12, 2009 (Credit Tim Plenk)