Village lockdown
African Storybook
Tammi Mbambo
English
First paragraphs
Langa is walking to school. He left home very early in the morning. His home is far from his school.
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He is excited to be going back to school, because schools were closed for months.
1
On the way, he stops at Mandla’s place. Langa hasn’t seen his friend for a long time. They weren’t allowed to play together.
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The happy boys greet with their elbows.
2
The boys carry on walking. They are looking forward to school. They are excited to talk about lockdown.
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“What did you do to keep safe from the virus?” asks Langa.
3
“Wake up in the morning and wash our hands. Wash our hands again before we eat,” replies Mandla.
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“Yes, always washing our hands, and always fetching water,” agrees Langa.
4
“I used to sit with my friends but now I can’t because you’re not supposed to sit with a lot of people,” says Mandla.
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“There are lots of new rules,” sighs Langa.
5
“You must cover your nose and mouth with a mask. When you cough, you must cover your mouth inside your elbow. After you cough you must wash your hands,” sighs Langa.
6
“Where I stay, we’re no longer able to play soccer,” says Mandla.
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“Where I stay, the old people are no longer able to get their treatment from the clinic,” says Langa.
7
“The lockdown has badly affected people who live in a village,” says Langa.
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“We’re no longer able to go to town as public transport has stopped operating,” says Mandla.
8
“A lot of people who earn a living by selling are no longer able to sell. People are worried,” continues Mandla.
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The boys are quiet as they get nearer to school. They walk faster.
9
Langa says, “To keep busy, I washed and helped cook. I also watched television and studied.”
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“Me, I kicked my soccer ball. I helped Mom, and read storybooks,” says Mandla.
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The boys arrive at school just in time.
10

——Questions


  1. What did you do to keep safe from the Corona virus? Please explain.
  2. On page 10, the boys talk about the past. Write their words as if they are talking about today (present).
  3. Write their words as if they are talking about tomorrow (future).
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This storybook is based on reports for RX Radio. RX Radio is a children’s internet radio station, by and for children.
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RX Radio operates from the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
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RX Radio helps children to tell stories about issues important to them.
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Visit RX Radio
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Attribution CC BY
Your attribution should include the following:
Title: Village lockdown
Author/s: African Storybook
Illustrator/s: Tammi Mbambo
Assurer/s: African Storybook
Language: English

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CC BY includes the following elements:
 BY   – Credit must be given to the creator