World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) 2026 was nothing short of magical. Across Cape Town’s public libraries, the day was not only celebrated with enthusiasm, but the heart of the celebration pulsed at the Iziko Museum, where laughter, curiosity and wide‑eyed wonder filled every corner. The museum came alive as children explored ancient worlds, discovered new stories, and experienced a day they will not soon forget.
This year we partnered with Nal’ibali and the Iziko Museum to support Nal’ibali’s ambitious national goal of reading aloud to 4 million children. This partnership brought together storytelling, heritage, and community and created an unforgettable celebration of reading. Our libraries reached an incredible milestone of reading aloud to 41 040 children. This achievement reflects our shared commitment to literacy, community, and joyful learning.
Learners from schools in Goodwood, Lentegeur, Gugulethu and Mfuleni joined us for the official launch at the museum. For many, it was their very first museum visit and you could see the awe on their faces as they wandered through the museum halls, whispering “wow” at fossils, butterflies and towering dinosaurs.
Then came one of the day’s most unforgettable moments. Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis took to the stage, kicked off his shoes and revealed a pair of wonderfully funky socks – much to the delight of every learner watching! What followed, was pure joy. The mayor and everyone in attendance joined LiBee, our beloved library mascot, for the lively “LiBee Jive.” Soon the entire room was buzzing as participants fluttered their wings, wiggled, jiggled and danced along with big smiles.
The feedback received from teachers at the event perfectly captures how special the day was:
“It was an unforgettable day at the Iziko Museum… our learners were absolutely inspired.” — Mrs Mc Bride
“It was a day of ‘firsts’ for our learners… The mayor was singing, reading and dancing with our learners. The kids were happy.” — Ms Frans
“The experience sparked curiosity… We are so grateful for the impact it has had on our learners.” — Mrs Govender
WRAD 2026 showcased library staff’s immense passion, led by Town Centre’s record-breaking outreach to 2,862 children for the third consecutive year. Following closely, Kuyasa, Macassar, and Melton Rose libraries reached thousands more. These figures represent far more than data; they signify thousands of sparked imaginations and inspired young minds.
Several libraries went above and beyond this World Read Aloud Day to ensure inclusive access to stories, creating meaningful experiences for children with diverse learning needs. Valhalla Park Library made a significant impact by reading to 215 learners from St Joseph’s School for Special Needs, while Westridge Library hosted classes from Beacon LSEN for a lively day of storytelling, songs, board games, colouring and free reading.
Plumstead Library extended their celebrations by visiting two special‑needs schools and a special‑needs ECD, noting how joyfully the learners engaged with the stories. Grassy Park Library partnered with LOFOB, bringing the gift of storytelling to adults and children who are blind or visually impaired. Southfield Library also proudly included CAFDA School of Skills in their programme, ensuring older learners with support needs could enjoy the day. Together, these libraries demonstrated the heart of our service that every child, regardless of ability, deserves to experience the magic of stories.
This year’s collaboration with the Iziko Museum added something truly special. The combination of books, history and creative exploration made the day both educational and unforgettable. Learners’ drawings and writings afterward spoke volumes about what the experience meant to them.
By Tracey Muir-Rix
SPO: Children’s Services Coordinator