Habitat61

10/07/2025

What a moment! On May 3rd, 2025, we celebrated the official launch of Echoes of Us — a powerful anthology written by high school learners from across Ekurhuleni.
The auditorium was filled with joy, pride, and purpose as young authors shared stories of resilience, identity, and hope.

🎥 Missed it? Catch the full event on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/pPHfMvjieB8?si=1i0PRzqME_dDqMfn

LITERACY IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE!On 3 May 2025, HABITAT61 CREATIVE HUB NPO proudly launched the Echoes of Us Short Story Anthology at the Katlehong CCC A...

05/05/2025

LITERACY IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE!

On 3 May 2025, HABITAT61 CREATIVE HUB NPO proudly launched the Echoes of Us Short Story Anthology at the Katlehong CCC Auditorium.

The event featured inspiring keynote contributions from education specialist Mrs Malefu Mohale, scholar and poet Dr Raphael d’Abdon, REDTREE Publishers’ Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and rising young author Clarice Lottering.
Each voice powerfully affirmed the role of literacy, mentorship, and storytelling in building resilient, liberated communities.

Joined by parents, educators, and youth leaders, we celebrated more than a book—we celebrated a movement.
This was a revolution bound in pages.

31/10/2024

NALU DABA LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2024 |
AFRICA'S STORIES OF RESISTANCE

South Africa is a focal point for diverse narratives shaped by colonial legacies, social inequities, and economic exclusion. Yet, despite these challenges, a powerful culture of resistance thrives among marginalized youth, particularly in townships.

These young individuals, who often face economic, educational, and social hardships, are eager to share their stories—tales of love, resilience, and passion that redefine what it means to be young and African today.
Through storytelling, creative writing workshops, and literary engagements, the NALU DABA LIVE LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2024 inspires a new generation of young Africans to voice their narratives of resilience, hope, and defiance.
This year’s festival underscores the transformative power of literature in empowering marginalized youth and in addressing critical societal challenges.
The top 20 short stories will be published in an anthology, preserving the unique voices and stories of Africa’s next generation.

Special Thanks to our key partner, REDTREE PUBLISHERS.

30/10/2024

NALU DABA LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2024

High School Debate Competition: "Should Social Media be Banned for Children Under Eighteen?"

On October 26th, an electrifying clash of ideas took place as talented high school debaters tackled the timely issue of social media restrictions for minors.

Team A (Mekayla Chuene, Omphulusa Maramene, Kganye Phalane, Charlene Gambiza) ignited the stage with compelling arguments in favor of the ban, highlighting social media’s potential harms like cyberbullying, phone addiction, and self-isolation. Their passionate pleas emphasized the urgent need to protect minors from these risks.

Team B (Likhokhele Mtimde, Thando Mavunduse, Nonhlanhla Banda, Khanyisile Jiyane) countered with innovative perspectives against the ban, showcasing social media’s transformative potential. They encouraged the audience to consider embracing the digital future, empowering teenage content creators, and implementing parental monitoring and usage guidelines.

The judges were impressed by the exceptional research, persuasive arguments, and teamwork displayed by both teams.

Congratulations to all participants and to Team A for their outstanding victory!

29/10/2024

NALU DABA LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2024

The Digital Literacy Workshop at Thokoza Youth Centre on 26 October aimed to promote online safety and responsibility among young learners. Participants explored chapters on social media, cyberbullying, and fake news, gaining a deeper understanding of digital citizenship. Interactive discussions and thought-provoking questions sparked engagement, culminating in creative awareness posters. Group presentations highlighted their newfound knowledge, empowering them to navigate the digital world responsibly.

A special thank you to Redtree Publishers for generously providing Kids on Social Media books, which enriched the workshop experience.

22/10/2024

NALU DABA LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2024
Theme: Africa’s Stories of Resistance

This year’s festival will spotlight emerging writers from Ekurhuleni schools, united by their passion for storytelling as a form of resistance. These young voices will reimagine Africa with ambition and creativity, challenging the narratives of poverty and exclusion while shaping the continent’s future stories.










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18/10/2024

The HABITAT61 CREATIVE HUB team recently conducted creative writing workshops for the 2024 short story competition across high schools in Ekurhuleni. Learners shared powerful stories shaped by socioeconomic struggles, identity issues, bullying, and mental health challenges. These narratives will be featured in the upcoming 2024 short story anthology.










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14/10/2024

NALU-DABA Live Literature Festival serves as a counter-narrative platform, spotlighting Africa's stories of grassroots resistance.

With a focus on marginalized in-school youth, the festival emphasizes literature's vital role in empowering young people and addressing societal challenges.

In preparation for the 2024 short story competition, the NALU-DABA team conducted creative writing workshops at participating schools across Ekurhuleni. These workshops not only honed learners' skills but also provided a safe space for them to express themselves openly.

The students' story ideas revealed a world of innocence shaped by the struggles they endure—stories set to feature in the 2024 short story anthology.










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