Staff Reporter
BOOKSPRINT Namibia 2026 has produced four new Namibian children’s books, with 12 local illustrators, designers and authors completing the titles during a 12-hour creative session aimed at promoting reading among children aged three to eight.
The third edition of the initiative was held at the Goethe-Institut Namibia on 12 September 2026 and aims to provide high-quality, locally produced reading material in multiple Namibian languages.
The four new titles are “Mbondee, My Best Friend”, “Naita and the Call of the Birds”, “Tuli’s Lucky Day” and “Unedjipa’s Magic Pen”, bringing the BookSprint Namibia collection to 13 books.
“Through books, children learn to recognise and understand the world in which they are growing up. Children who have access to books achieve better learning outcomes than those without books. That is precisely why we established this initiative,” said Nasrin Siege, a German-Iranian author and member of the volunteer BookSprint Namibia organising committee.
Under Siege’s editorial guidance, the participating creatives developed and completed their books within 12 hours after being selected through a series of open calls.
Jasko Rust, Head of Information and Library at the Goethe-Institut Namibia, said the event demonstrated how quickly Namibian stories could be developed and brought to life.
“It was incredible to witness how quickly these Namibian stories were brought to life. We are excited to soon share the new books with young readers across the country,” Rust said.
Clarissa Judmann from the Cultural Section of the German Embassy in Windhoek described the initiative as an educational project that strengthens cultural ties between Germany and Namibia.
“This is another exciting educational project that ties Germany and Namibia closer together. We have strong cultural bonds at all levels of society – between governments and towns, universities and vocational training facilities and peoples and communities – that we aim to deepen and strengthen further,” Judmann said.
The four books will undergo final design refinements, receive ISBNs and be prepared for publication over the coming weeks.
In 2027, the titles will be translated into eight additional Namibian languages: Afrikaans, German, Khoekhoegowab, Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otjiherero, RuKwangali and Setswana.
The books will then be made available free of charge to the public and educational initiatives throughout Namibia.
The 2026 BookSprint authors are Jada Hambeka, Priskila Akwaake, Mac Lenwhill Witbooi and Chalpha Viaungura Mbaukua.
The illustrators and designers are Luka Ndivayele, Helena Louw, Erastus Lenga, Ayishah Hipondoka, Gerson Ntusi, Benhard Nambambi, Nicola Sauber and Silas Mentos Nangolo.
BookSprint Namibia 2026 was jointly organised by the Goethe-Institut Namibia, the German Embassy in Windhoek and volunteers Nicole Abdinghoff, Nasrin Siege and Detlef Pfeifer.
The organisers also thanked the University of Namibia (UNAM) for its support in identifying aspiring young writers from its student community.
Previous BookSprint Namibia titles are available free of charge in nine languages.
Photo: German Embassy Windhoek
