isiZulu · Learn how to read series

Learn how to read isiZulu

Level 1 · Sounds and first syllables

A first reading book for children aged 4 to 7. Your child meets the five vowels, builds syllables like ma, me, mi, mo, mu, blends them into real isiZulu words and reads a short illustrated story, “Market day”. Full colour, with a picture for every word.

R50Printable PDF · 25 A4 pages in full colour · Ages 4–7
  • No account needed
  • PDF in your inbox in minutes
  • Print as often as you like
🔒 Secure checkout. We never see or store your card details.
Take a look inside

Real pages from the book

Tap any page to see it up close. Swipe or use the arrows to flip through.

About this book

First steps in reading isiZulu

Learn how to read isiZulu is a gentle first reading book for children who are starting to read in their home language. isiZulu is written the way it sounds, so once children know the five vowels and how syllables are built, they can start reading real words.

Children trace and find each vowel, ride the syllable train with 7 consonants (s, l, m, n, k, t, b), colour by syllable, blend syllables into words, match words to pictures, count to five and read a short illustrated story, “Market day”, with questions to check understanding. A grown-up guide, a culture corner, a word bank and a Well Done certificate complete the book.

What your child will practise

  • The five vowel sounds and how to write them
  • Building and reading syllables
  • Reading first isiZulu words with picture support
  • Reading a short story and answering questions
  • Counting to five, pencil control and tracing
What’s inside

Every page in the book

25 A4 pages in full colour, with a picture for every word.

  1. Full-colour cover
  2. Hello, grown-ups! (how to use the book)
  3. Meet the vowels
  4. The letters a, e, i, o, u
  5. Which vowel comes first?
  6. 7 syllable pages: s, l, m, n, k, t, b
  7. Colour by syllable
  8. Put the syllables together
  9. Read and match
  10. Count to five in isiZulu
  11. Story: Market day
  12. Read, think, tick
  13. Culture corner
  14. My word bank
  15. Well Done certificate
The details

Good to know

FormatPrintable PDF, A4 size
Pages25 full-colour pages
LanguageisiZulu words, sentences and a story, with simple English guidance for grown-ups
Ages4 to 7 years
DeliveryDownload link by email within minutes (works for 7 days)
PrintingBest in colour; black and white works too. Print as often as you like for your family
PriceR50, once-off. No account or subscription needed.
How it works

From cart to reading in minutes

Add to cart

No account or sign-up needed. Just your email address.

Pay securely

Pay on our payment partner’s secure page. It takes about a minute.

Check your inbox

Your download link arrives within minutes. Save the PDF to your phone or computer.

Print and play

Print on A4 at home, at work or at a print shop, as often as you like.

Questions

Before you buy

Do I need to speak isiZulu to use this book?

It helps, but you don’t need to be fluent. The guidance for grown-ups is in simple English, and every isiZulu word comes with a picture and its English meaning. If you’re still learning isiZulu, ask a family member who speaks it to help with the sounds.

Which age is it for?

Ages 4 to 7. It suits children who know some letters and are ready to start reading syllables and short words. Younger children enjoy it with a grown-up beside them.

Do I need an account to buy?

No. Add the book to your cart, enter the email address where you’d like the download link sent, and pay. That’s it.

How do I get the book?

Straight after payment we email you a download link, usually within a few minutes. The link works for 7 days, so download and save the PDF. If anything goes wrong, email us and we’ll send a fresh link.

Do I need a colour printer?

The book is in full colour and looks best printed in colour, but it works in black and white too. You can print it as many times as you like for your family.

I paid but didn’t get the email.

Check your spam or promotions folder first. Still nothing after 15 minutes? Email sandile@asifundenathi.co.za with the email address you used, and we’ll sort it out quickly.

More in the series

Learn how to read in eight more languages

The full series

All nine Learn how to read books

isiZulu, isiXhosa, Setswana, Sesotho, Sepedi, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, siSwati and isiNdebele. Perfect for families who speak more than one language, and for teachers.

R450for all nine
Learn how to read isiZuluR50 · Instant PDF