Thomani Ramulifho Foundation (CSI)
About us
The Thomani Ramulifho Foundation is an NPC (Non-Profit Company) that donates new storybooks to children attending schools in rural areas. The Thomani Ramulifho Foundation is focused on the preservation of all languages,Tshivenḓa in particular.
Year Program
Book donations
Our book-provider service is free; we print books with funds raised from our donors and through our sustainability efforts. The books' manuscripts are donated by Nḓivhovhugala Publishers, and we print them at COST price. We identify primary schools that need books based on the number of children, languages used, and library access and select four schools that we donate to every quarter.
Setting up Corner Libraries at schools
We recognise that many schools do not have a place to store their books to make them readily available for children. In these cases, we raise funds to supply shelving or cupboards. These libraries come fully stocked with 34+ books authored by Shakandinnyi Ramulifho. Additional books will depend on donations from other authors, publishers or NPOs.
Tshivenḓa School Reading Aloud Competition
This is for Grade 1-5 pupils reading Vhavhali ndi Vhaṱali Gireidi 1-5 and Luambo Lwashu, Ifa Ḽashu Gireidi 1-5 both authored by Shakandinnyi Ramulifho. The finalists from each school will read out loud one prepared and unknown extract from the book depending on their grade. The winners get prizes.
Tshivenḓa Spelling Bee
Thomani Ramulifho Foundation will host a Tshivenda spelling bee in which learners in Grade 4 to 6 from different schools will contest against each other for different prizes. A spelling bee is a game or competition in which the participants compete in spelling Tshivenḓa words orally. Schools are requested to first hold the competition in class, grade, and phase to select their best three spellers who will represent them at the final competition. Winners will receive prizes.
Tshivenḓa Theatre Competitions
The schools will each receive a few copies of Mala Nṋe by Shakandinnyi Ramulifho. The school will compete against 10 other schools for great prizes. In addition, the winning “drama” group will have a chance to have their performance played on radio or TV.
Tshivenḓa Short Story Competition
Students in high schools submit short stories to be judged by a panel of industry experts. There is no particular topic for the short stories, must be written in Tshivenḓa and a maximum of 5 pages. The winner gets prizes and the Top 20 short stories will be published and sold, with students and schools receiving royalties.
Tshivenḓa Poetry Recitation Competitions
A 400-poem anthology authored by Shakandinnyi Ramulifho will be given to high school students. Students will choose a poem to commit to memory and recite in front of a jury. The jury will test their understanding of the content through questions. The winner will win prizes.
Thomani Ramulifho Foundation Writing Festival
A festival that helps you become a writer. A festival of writing, featuring book launches, writing workshops, panel discussions, and publishing and marketing workshops, doing business with the Department of Education- textbooks and an interesting discussion on technology such as Artificial Intelligence in writing and helpful software for a writer to know.