ULanga uhlala nogogo wakhe ekhaya. Yena nogogo bangabangani beqiniso.
Langa lives with granny at home. They are best friends.
Umbhali (Writer): Siya Masuku
Umhleli (Editor): Mpumie Njobe
Umdwebi (Illustrator): Siya Masuku
Umqophi (Designer): Siya Masuku
Yashicilelwa (Published): 2019
Abashicileli (Publisher): Siyafunda Online
Ifomethi (Format): Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-639-94-970-3
Ulimi (Language): isiZulu
Amakhasi (Pages): 32
Ubukhulu (Size): 200mm X 200mm
Isisindo (Weight): 20gm
Ubuningi (Quantity): 1
Intengiso (Price): R200
Lorraine Sithole –
After a marathon 4-day weekend of books @franlitfest, I was all booked-out and longed for a lighter read to rebalance my equilibrium.
Well, I picked up #uLanga which @siyamasuku, author-illustrator-publisher sent to me 2 weeks ago.
I was excited because my baby, @child_u_r_loved is Langalamajobe and the comic is written in isiZulu. We are 5 months into UNESCO’S INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MOTHER TONGUE with little physical output to show of it.
@siyamasuku has immortalised my son into a hero. Next time @child_u_r_loved asks me, “Mama, which one is me?” I will be able to point out that: THIS IS YOU. NORMAL MELANIN RICH BOY. NO SUPERPOWERS. SPEAKING ISIZULU. DOING NORMAL EVERYDAY THINGS. YOU ARE SPECIAL JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE LOVED, AND SEEN AND APPRECIATED.
Beautiful everyday storyline. Beautiful everyday characters. uGogo, friends, doing everyday things. I love the size of the book. Just right for cute little hands to page through. The glossy paper is easy to wipe spills from and is durable. This story will be read over and over in my house.
More than that, this comic is a great way for children and adults alike to read isiZulu. Literacy is not just the ability to speak a language, the reading and writing is of paramount importance. Everyday interaction with mother tongue strengthens the spiritual connection to the ancestors and deepens the roots of identity. A reading nation, in its mother tongue, is able to archive its history and stories in the most authentic way. A way which records its voices (tastes, smells, sights) for posterity.
Congratulations @siyamasuku for showing our boys and girls that YOU IS IMPORTANT. YOU IS BEAUTIFUL.YOU IS KIND. Couldn’t help but quote “The Help” from #KatherineStockett
Rebecca Phala –
The biggest reason most parents and guardians purchase children’s books are so they help improve their children’s vocabulary and ignite a curious thinking process. Reading as a third speaker of isiZulu, authored brilliantly by Siya Masuku, uLanga was such a pleasure and an easy educational read.
The reader is introduced to the main character who has been sent on a chore and returns in the late hours not having done the chore. The biggest lesson one derives from uLanga is that children will go astray every once in a while, but sometimes they can just be told to avoid misbehaving as opposed to getting a beating. Siya delivered that message very clear in an intriguing graphic book.
About the reviewer: Rebecca Phala is a graduate of political studies from the University of Limpopo, Editor of youth magazine Scream Magazine Polokwane, Broadcast journalist and Talk show Host on Energy FM and Choice FM and an avid reader and reviewer of African.
Bush Mahlathini –
uLanga is a children’s picture book written(in isiZulu) and illustrated by Siya Masuku. Self-published under the graphic novelist’s Siyafunda Online publication the book is the sequel to Siya Masuku’s comic debut, uNjabulo: emkhathini. uLanga is Njabulo’s friend and the two have a very interesting friendship as they have very different personalities and also aspire to be in different career paths, or so to speak. Through these characters’ differences, the author seeks to inform children of the many possibilities, in terms of career and life paths, that are available to them in modern society as opposed to the few conventional roles that could be allocated to men and women in traditional folklore and in history.
Being that uLanga is a sequel, it would do the reader some good to start by reading uNjabulo: emkhathini to grasp the plot and the greater message that the author is seeking to convey with this series of children’s book. The paperback comes in a convenient size and weight for preschoolers and school-agers and is 32 pages strong, cover to cover. Printed on quality card paper the amazing illustrations lead the eye easily and immerses one in the plot with a contemporary comic strip style layout and design. Siya Masuku’s character building has to be commended as he pays his characters so much attention and treats them with so much care. The book takes us through a day in the life of uLanga, a young girl and her friend, uNjabulo. From our very first visual introduction to uLanga on the cover of the book one notices that she has vitiligo (a skin condition) yet true to her happy nature she seems to be oblivious to this fact – I also commend the author for this, normalising diversity at an early age, kids can be mean and nasty towards somethings they aren’t used to.
Just like her name suggests, uLanga (the sun) has a bright spirit and is full of joy and laughter which the author wants you to feel from the start. Siya Masuku’s graphic skills are so elevated that with each scene that he depicts he carefully and visually informs the reader of the time of day, the weather, the different physical sensations, emotions and even when a character is engaged in imagination. Together with this, the use of bold and bright copy to depict instances of onomatopoeia and phonetic sounds make for a simultaneous visual and audio experience. Mpumie Njobe also did an amazing job in carefully editing the copy which uses an everyday isiZulu vocabulary that can be deciphered by toddlers. I stand to be corrected however it could be that Siya Masuku introduces the third title to his paperbacks: KwaNhliziyo-Ngise in the midst of all the goings on – great strategy.
It can not be denied that careful consideration and painstaking planning went in to the making of uLanga the result of which is too ishuuu! The book did leave me with a few question marks though. The time we get to share with uLanga is very open-ended and leaves one scratching their head. At the end of the story you are still left guessing as to uLanga’s true aspirations and other things.
What does uLanga want to be when she grows up? Most kids at that age will say a teacher, a doctor or any conventional job yet we don’t get that from uLanga -she is very open-minded.
KwaNhliziyo-Ngise is it going to be the next paperback issue in the series?
Is KwaNhliziyo-Ngise what informed Njabulo’s decision to become a space engineer?
Is KwaNhliziyo-Ngise a magical/supernatural book? (this is a children’s book after all)
Why does uLanga live with her Grandmother? etc…
It is actually a delight to me that this book leaves one questioning a few things because kids are naturally very inquisitive and this sort of ending engages that part of their mind. The ending begs one to try and imagine for themselves what might happen next. The captivating illustrations and design also play a vital role in exercising cognitive muscles like reasoning and comprehension. uLanga is such a great read for young ones as it requires them to think about possible life paths and careers at a very early age and it will also help them learn soft skills and have a frame of reference when engaging other kids so as to not compromise who they are in terms of heritage.With that being said uLanga is a well crafted and engaging story which is very relatable to many little kids across South Africa and we recommend that you go and get it for your children, nieces, Godchildren and baby siblings.
uLanga by Siya Masuku
Edited by Mpumie Njobe
Siyafunda Online (Pty) Ltd.
http://www.siyafundaonline.co.za
1st Edition, Johannesburg
May 2019.
ISBN: 978-0-639-94970-3