Unlocking the joy of reading with children's book author, Ntombikayise Bhengu

JOHANNESBURG - Reading is a vital ability for children, contributing to their emotional and social growth as well as providing them with an early educational start.

Lethukuthula “Lethu” Bhengu, who is now four years old, gained international recognition when her mother, Ntombikayise Bhengu, shared videos of her sounding out letters or reading words and phrases on TikTok in 2022. A clip of her showcasing her reading skills then went viral and garnered attention from people all over the world.

In 2021, 400,000 pupils worldwide were evaluated on their reading proficiency as part of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, which ranked South Africa worst out of 57 countries. And it was found that by the time they were ten, eight out of ten South African schoolchildren found reading difficult.
 
Eyewitness News spoke with Ntombikayise Bhengu, Lethu's mother, in an exclusive interview, where she discussed how she was able to accomplish this at such a young age.

Ntombikayise, a thriving author, businesswoman, and proud mother, received her BSc in Chemistry from the University of Cape Town and her MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Her path into teaching started when she taught her two-year-old daughter to read. Lethu picked up the ability swiftly and went on to win a Nickelodeon award. 

"I wrote three early reader books — Pam and the Cat, Ben and the Hen, and Tim and the Pig — inspired by this experience. My life has been made possible by education, which has helped me realise my goals. I'm passionate about spreading this to others because I genuinely think it has the ability to change people's lives," Ntombikayise remarked.

When we asked her for helpful advice on encouraging young children to embrace reading, this is what she had to say:

Read with Your Child: Make reading a shared activity. This not only strengthens your bond, but also instills a love for reading in your child.

Buy Books: Surround your child with books that are age-appropriate and interesting. The more exposure they have to books, the more likely they are to develop a love for reading.

Teach Them How to Read: Don’t expect them to simply pick it up on their own. Take an active role in teaching them how to read, starting with simple words and gradually moving to more complex texts.

Be a Role Model: Let your child see you reading. Children often mimic their parents, so if they see you enjoying a book, they’re more likely to want to do the same.

Cut Down on Screen Time: Monitor and limit your child's screen time. Replace some of that screen time with reading sessions or storytelling.

Use Educational Apps: If screen time is necessary, make it count by downloading educational apps that are ad-free and encourage reading.

When did you realise your daughter could read fluently?

"I started teaching my daughter to read when she was just two years old. With consistent practice and a focus on making reading fun, she quickly became a fluent reader. She reads every day, both for fun and to learn new things. Bedtime stories are a favorite in our household, where she often reads to us, turning the traditional parent-to-child reading time into a delightful role reversal."

Considering the poverty and inequality in SA, how can children without access to books or libraries not get left behind?

"In South Africa, where poverty and inequality deeply affect the education sector, it's crucial to find creative ways to ensure that all children have access to the resources they need to learn. Community efforts, such as book drives, reading circles, and mobile libraries, can make a significant difference. Parents and caregivers can also engage children with storytelling, rhymes, and oral traditions, which are powerful tools for language development and literacy. Even without access to physical books, fostering a love for stories and words can lay the foundation for reading skills. Collaboration with NGOs, local businesses, and schools to provide books and resources to underprivileged areas is another important step in bridging the gap."

How did you start holding reading sessions for children and adults?

"I began holding reading sessions after people saw how well my little one could read. I received numerous requests from parents who were eager to have their children learn as well. Although I was scared, and still am at times, my passion for education and love for children drove me to start. I initially offered physical classes, which have since expanded to include online sessions. We now teach both kids and adults. My experience with tutoring, which I’ve been doing since 2011, combined with the skills I learned from teaching my daughter to read, has equipped me to teach others. My approach blends research with intuition, drawing from the journey I took with my daughter to help others unlock the joy of reading."