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Holidays with grandmother Umondli Nombali Bavakashela Ugogo Wabo Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo Holidays with grandmother

Written by Violet Otieno

Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald

Read by Darshan Soni

Language English

Level Level 3

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Odongo and Apiyo lived in the city with their father. They looked forward to the holidays. Not just because school was closed, but because they went to visit their grandmother. She lived in a fishing village near a large lake.

UMondli noMbali babehlala edolobheni nobaba wabo. Babekujabulela ukuvalwa kwezikole ngoba babezovakashela ugogo wabo. Phela ugogo wayehlala kwesinye isigodi esasinedamu elikhulu lapho kwakudotshwa khona izinhlanzi. Abantu bakule ndawo babekhonzile ukudoba.

ULilitha noLuniko babehlala esixekweni notata wabo. Babekulangazelela kakhulu ukuya eholideyini. Babengafuni nje ukuba izikolo zivalwe kodwa babefuna ukuya kutyelela umakhulu wabo. Wayehlala elalini enechibi elikhulu ekulotywayo kulo.

Odongo and Apiyo lived in the city with their father. They looked forward to the holidays. Not just because school was closed, but because they went to visit their grandmother. She lived in a fishing village near a large lake.


Odongo and Apiyo were excited because it was time to visit their grandmother again. The night before, they packed their bags and got ready for the long journey to her village. They could not sleep and talked the whole night about the holiday.

UMondli-ke babejabule kakhulu kulokhu ngoba nabo ngalesi sikhathi, babezovakashela ugogo wabo ohlala kulesi sigodi esinedamu. Ngobusuku okwakuzosa bahambe ngabo, bapakisha izikhwama balungiselela uhambo olude oluya kwagogo. Ubuthongo babungafiki, bexoxa ubusuku bonke, izinhliziyo zilangazelela leli holide.

ULilitha noLuniko bachulumanca lakufika ixesha lokuyokutyelela umakhulu kwakhona. Phezolo, ngobusuku obungaphambili bapakisha iibhegi zabo belungiselela uhambo olude oluya elalini. Babengakwazi ukulala yimincili baze bahlala bancokola ngeholide yabo ubusuku bonke.

Odongo and Apiyo were excited because it was time to visit their grandmother again. The night before, they packed their bags and got ready for the long journey to her village. They could not sleep and talked the whole night about the holiday.


Early the next morning, they left for the village in their father’s car. They drove past mountains, wild animals and tea plantations. They counted cars and sang songs.

Ekuseni ngovivi, baqala uhambo lwabo ngemoto kababa wabo. Imoto yayihamba idlula izintaba, amaqguma, wena zilwane zasendle namasimu. Babeloku bebalana nezimoto eziphambana nabo nalezo abazedlulayo. Babebuye bacule bejabulele indlela.

Ekuseni ngemini elandelayo, bahamba ngemoto katata wabo ukuya ezilalini. Yahamba imoto igqitha iintaba, izilwanyana zasendle kunye namahlathi.

Early the next morning, they left for the village in their father’s car. They drove past mountains, wild animals and tea plantations. They counted cars and sang songs.


After a while, the children were tired and fell asleep.

Emva kwesikhashana, lapho ubaba ezwa sekuthule, waqalaza, wabathola sebefile ubuthongo.

Emva kwexesha elide behamba, abantwana badinwa baze balala.

After a while, the children were tired and fell asleep.


Father woke up Odongo and Apiyo as they arrived in the village. They found Nyar-Kanyada, their grandmother, resting on a mat under a tree. Nyar-Kanyada in Luo, means ‘daughter of the people of Kanyada’. She was a strong and beautiful woman.

Kuthe sebengena esigodini lapho ugogo ehlala khona, ubaba wabo wabavusa. Nanguya ugogo, uNobuntu, eziphumulele phansi kwesihlahla. Ugogo kwakuyintombi ezithandayo, ebathanda abantu njengegama lakhe. Wayemuhle, ekhuthele, ephiwe nempilo enhle.

Utata wabo uLilitha noLuniko wabavusa besakufika elalini. Bafika umakhulu wabo uNobuntu ephumle phantsi komthi. Igama elithi ‘Nobuntu’ ngesiXhosa lithetha umntu oxabise abanye abantu nozaziyo ukuba ungumntu ngabanye abantu. Wayelinina elihle elisele liqinile.

Father woke up Odongo and Apiyo as they arrived in the village. They found Nyar-Kanyada, their grandmother, resting on a mat under a tree. Nyar-Kanyada in Luo, means ‘daughter of the people of Kanyada’. She was a strong and beautiful woman.


Nyar-Kanyada welcomed them into the house and danced around the room singing with joy. Her grandchildren were excited to give her the presents they brought from the city. “First open my gift,” said Odongo. “No, my gift first!” said Apiyo.

Ugogo wathi vuthu lapho ayehleli khona, wabamukela, egidagida, ecula yedwana yinjabulo yokubona abazukulu bakhe. Nabo abazukulu babejabule. Ngokushesha babekhipha imithwalo yabo, bedlulisa nezipho ababeziphathele ugogo edolobheni. “Gogo! Gogo! Vula esami kuqala isipho,” kumemeza uMondli. NoMbali naye ngapha ubelesele, ufuna ugogo avule esakhe isipho kuqala.

UNobuntu wabamkela emzini wakhe waze wadanisa ngaphakathi luvuyo. Abazukulwana bakhe bona babechumancile ngelixa babemnika izipho ababemthengele zona esixekweni. “Vula isipho sam kuqala,” watsho uLilitha. “Hayi makhulu, vula esam kuqala!” watsho uLuniko.

Nyar-Kanyada welcomed them into the house and danced around the room singing with joy. Her grandchildren were excited to give her the presents they brought from the city. “First open my gift,” said Odongo. “No, my gift first!” said Apiyo.


After she opened the presents, Nyar-Kanyada blessed her grandchildren in a traditional way.

Emva kokuvulwa kwezipho, ugogo wababusisa ngokwesiko labo.

Emveni kokuba ezivulile izipho, uNobuntu wabasikelela abazukulwana bakhe ngokwesithethe.

After she opened the presents, Nyar-Kanyada blessed her grandchildren in a traditional way.


Then Odongo and Apiyo went outside. They chased butterflies and birds.

UMondli noMbali, nabaya, phandle sebeyogijimisa izinkukhu namadada, bafuna nokubamba izinyoni.

Emva koko uLilitha noLuniko baphuma baya phandle. Baqalisa ukuleqa amabhabhathane neentaka.

Then Odongo and Apiyo went outside. They chased butterflies and birds.


They climbed trees and splashed in the water of the lake.

Abazukulu babekujabulele ukuba kwagogo, bemsiza ngemisebenzi yasekhaya, bedlala nemidlalo abangayijwayele njengokucaca izihlahla nokubhukuda edamini.

Bakhwela emithini, batshizana nangamanzi echibini.

They climbed trees and splashed in the water of the lake.


When it was dark they returned to the house for dinner. Before they could finish eating, they were falling asleep!

Ngakusihlwa babebuya endlini bekhathele, bafike badle. Kwesinye isikhathi babengaqedi naloko kudla abakubekelwe, babanjwe ubuthongo nokukhathala.

Ngokuhlwa babuyela endlwini bayokutya isopholo. Kodwa basuka bozela phambi kokuba bagqibe ukutya kwabo.

When it was dark they returned to the house for dinner. Before they could finish eating, they were falling asleep!


The next day, the children’s father drove back to the city leaving them with Nyar-Kanyada.

Ngosuku olulandelayo, ubaba wabo waphindela edolobheni, wabashiya bezijabulisa nogogo wabo.

Ngemini elandelayo utata wabantwana wabuyela esixekweni ebashiya nomakhulu wabo uNobuntu.

The next day, the children’s father drove back to the city leaving them with Nyar-Kanyada.


Odongo and Apiyo helped their grandmother with household chores. They fetched water and firewood. They collected eggs from the chickens and picked greens from the garden.

UMondli noMbali basiza ugogo wabo ngokwenza imisebenzi yasendlini. Babekha amanzi batheze izinkuni. Babeqoqa namaqanda ezidlekeni zezinkukhu babuye bakhe imifino engadini.

ULilitha noLuniko bancedisa umakhulu wabo ukwenza imisebenzi yasekhaya. Bayokukha amanzi futhi baya kutheza. Baqokelela amaqanda eenkukhu bakha nemifuno egadini.

Odongo and Apiyo helped their grandmother with household chores. They fetched water and firewood. They collected eggs from the chickens and picked greens from the garden.


Nyar-Kanyada taught her grandchildren to make soft ugali to eat with stew. She showed them how to make coconut rice to eat with roast fish.

Ugogo wayesefundise abazukulu nokupheka ukudla kwesintu kanye nokunye okulula.

Umakhulu uNobuntu wabafundisa abantwana bakhe ukupheka ipapa ababeza kuyitya nonqweme. Wababonisa nendlela yokupheka umngqusho oneembotyi.

Nyar-Kanyada taught her grandchildren to make soft ugali to eat with stew. She showed them how to make coconut rice to eat with roast fish.


One morning, Odongo took his grandmother’s cows to graze. They ran onto a neighbour’s farm. The farmer was angry with Odongo. He threatened to keep the cows for eating his crops. After that day, the boy made sure that the cows did not get into trouble again.

Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni uMondli wakhipha izinkomo zikagogo edlelweni, ethi uyokwelusa. Zagijima zangena epulazini likamakhelwane. Umakhelwane owayengumlimi wathukuthela efuna nokuzivalela ngoba zidle izitshalo zakhe. Emva kwalokhu uMondli waqinisekisa ukuthi azisophinde zingene enkingeni efana nalena.

Ngenye intsasa, uLilitha wakhaphela iinkomo zikamakhulu emadlelweni. Ngelishwa zangena entsimini yommelwane. Ummelwane waba nomsindo kakhulu yinto kaLilitha yokuyeka iinkomo zingene entsimini yakhe. Wamothusa ngokuba uza kuzibamba iinkomo ezitya izityalo zakhe. Emva kwaloo mini, uLilitha waqinisekisa ukuba iinkomo aziphindi zimfake engxakini kwakhona.

One morning, Odongo took his grandmother’s cows to graze. They ran onto a neighbour’s farm. The farmer was angry with Odongo. He threatened to keep the cows for eating his crops. After that day, the boy made sure that the cows did not get into trouble again.


On another day, the children went to the marketplace with Nyar-Kanyada. She had a stall selling vegetables, sugar and soap. Apiyo liked to tell customers the price of items. Odongo would pack the items that customers bought.

Ngolunye usuku, izingane zahamba noNobuntu zaya emakethe. Wayenetafula lapho ayethengisa khona imifino, izithelo nezinye izinto ezincane ezidingwa umphakathi. UMbali wayethanda ukutshela abathengi ukuthi izinto zibiza malini, ahlanganise, athathe imali. UMondli yena, wayesongela abathengi izimpahla zabo abazithengile.

Ngenye imini abantwana baya emarikeni noNobuntu. Wayenestendi athengisa imifuno, amagwinya kunye nenyama kuso. ULuniko wayekuthanda ukuchazela abantu ngamaxabiso ezinto. ULilitha ekuthanda ukupakisha izinto ezithengiweyo.

On another day, the children went to the marketplace with Nyar-Kanyada. She had a stall selling vegetables, sugar and soap. Apiyo liked to tell customers the price of items. Odongo would pack the items that customers bought.


At the end of the day they drank chai tea together. They helped grandmother to count the money she earned.

Ekupheleni kosuku, babephuza itiye babukeze usuku, kube mnandi. Abazukulu bebemsiza ugogo ukubala imali ayenzile ngalolo suku.

Emva kwemini babeye baphunge ibholani kunye. Babencedisa umakhulu nokubala ingeniso ayenzileyo.

At the end of the day they drank chai tea together. They helped grandmother to count the money she earned.


But too soon the holidays were over and the children had to go back to the city. Nyar-Kanyada gave Odongo a cap and Apiyo a sweater. She packed food for their journey.

Kodwa amaholide asheshe aphela. Kwasekufanele ukuthi babuyele esikoleni edolobheni. Ugogo wapha uMondli ikepisi kanti uMbali wamupha ijezi. Wabapakishela nomphako wendlela ephindela edolobheni.

Kodwa iintsuku zeholide zafikelela ekupheleni ngokukhawuleza kwaye abantwana kwafuneka ukuba babuyele esixekweni kwakhona. UMakhulu wanika uLilitha ikepusi, waze wanika uLuniko isikipa. Wabapakishela umphako elungiselela uhambo lwabo.

But too soon the holidays were over and the children had to go back to the city. Nyar-Kanyada gave Odongo a cap and Apiyo a sweater. She packed food for their journey.


When their father came to fetch them, they did not want to leave. The children begged Nyar-Kanyada to go with them to the city. She smiled and said, “I am too old for the city. I will be waiting for you to come to my village again.”

Babengasafuni ukugoduka, lapho ubaba wabo efika esezobalanda. Bancenga ugogo ukuba ahambe nabo, aye edolobheni. Wayevele amoyizele athi, “Sengimdala kakhulu ukuthi ngingahlala edolobheni. Ugogo uzosala lapha ukuze nibuye futhi nizojabulela amaholide ahlukile.”

Wathi xa utata wabo ebuya ezokubalanda, abantwana abafuna ukuhamba. Bamcenga, bambongoza uNobuntu ukuba ahambe nabo ukuya esixekweni. Umakhulu yena wancuma waze wathi, “Ndimdala kakhulu ukuba ndingahlala esixekweni. Ndiza kunilinda ukuba nizokundityelela apha elalini kwakhona.”

When their father came to fetch them, they did not want to leave. The children begged Nyar-Kanyada to go with them to the city. She smiled and said, “I am too old for the city. I will be waiting for you to come to my village again.”


Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.

Bavalelisa, bamanga ugogo ngezinhliziyo ezibuhlungu.

ULilitha noLuniko bamqinisa ukumwola oku baze bamsalisa kakuhle.

Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.


When Odongo and Apiyo went back to school they told their friends about life in the village. Some children felt that life in the city was good. Others felt that the village was better. But most of all, everyone agreed that Odongo and Apiyo had a wonderful grandmother!

Baphindela edolobheni, bafike baxoxela abangane babo ngamaholide abo kwagogo wabo nangempilo yasemaphandleni. Ezinye izingane zazithi impilo yasedolobheni yinhle. Ezinye kodwa zazicabanga ukuthi eyasemaphandleni ingcono. Ngaphezu kwako konke, zonke izingane esikoleni zazivumelana ngokuthi uMondli no Mbali babenogogo oyisimanga!

Bakufika esikolweni uLilitha noLuniko bababalisela bonke abahlobo babo ngobomi baselalini. Abanye abantwana babecinga ukuba ubomi basesixekweni bobona bulungileyo. Abanye bona babecinga ukuba obaselalini bobona bungcono. Kodwa, ngaphezu kwento yonke, wonke umntu wavumelana noLilitha noLuniko ukuba banomakhulu othandekayo!

When Odongo and Apiyo went back to school they told their friends about life in the village. Some children felt that life in the city was good. Others felt that the village was better. But most of all, everyone agreed that Odongo and Apiyo had a wonderful grandmother!


Written by: Violet Otieno
Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald
Read by: Darshan Soni
Language: English
Level: Level 3
Source: Holidays with grandma from African Storybook
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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