Closing the Court: BAL x NABU Wrap-Up in South Africa

After months of unforgettable storytelling and community celebration across three countries, NABU and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) closed the chapter on an extraordinary Season 5 journey. The final stop in South Africa was not only a celebration, it was a reminder of why stories matter, especially when told in a child’s mother tongue.

A Story of Hope and Healing at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital

The campaign’s final event took place at Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), a place that stands as a symbol of healing, hope, and resilience. It was the perfect setting to bring our story The Big and Magical Basketball Games to life one last time during BAL Season 5.

Jessica Laing, NABU’s Business Development Manager, opened the event with a heartfelt message about the power of culturally relevant books. “When a child sees their language, culture, and dreams in a book,” she shared, “they begin to see their place and their power in the world.”

Her words resonated deeply with the room and reaffirmed NABU’s mission: to make literacy equitable and accessible through stories that reflect children’s identities.

The reading session that followed was filled with warmth and energy. Acclaimed South African author Lebohang Masango led a spirited read-aloud of The Big and Magical Basketball Games, capturing the hearts of every child in the room. She was joined by BAL ambassadors Ian Mahinmi and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi, and NMCH CEO Dr. Pinky Chirwa, each adding their own touch of joy and inspiration to the day.

To wrap up, every child received their own copy of the storybook available in isiZulu, English, French, Wolof, and Kinyarwanda, ensuring language and learning would live on far beyond the event.

From Dakar to Kigali to Johannesburg: A Continent Connected by Stories and Sport

South Africa marked the final stop of a powerful, continent-spanning literacy campaign that united children, athletes, and educators through storytelling.

Here’s a quick look back at the journey:

Dakar, Senegal – A Magical Kickoff

Our journey began at the Dakar Arena and Empire des Enfants Orphanage, where we launched the book and introduced young readers to the world of The Big and Magical Basketball Games through engaging read-alouds and community visits.

[Read about the kickoff in Dakar]

Kigali, Rwanda – Africa Day at the Library

During Africa Day celebrations, the campaign made a meaningful stop at the Kigali Public Library, where children gathered for a multilingual reading session that reflected the power of language and literacy.

[Explore the event in Kigali]

Johannesburg, South Africa – A Heartfelt Finale

From the courts to the hospital wards, the final event reminded us how storytelling can heal, uplift, and connect.

Across all three cities, we delivered inclusive storybooks, celebrated African languages, and empowered children to read, dream, and rise.

The Journey Doesn’t End Here

The Big and Magical Basketball Games continues to reach children across Africa and beyond:

• Read it for free in English, French, and Kinyarwanda at read.nabu.org
• Download the NABU App to access hundreds of bilingual books in your language
• Order a printed copy on Jumia

Thank You

To every child, parent, partner, and player who brought this vision to life thank you. Together, we proved that when sports and storytelling meet, they ignite a movement for literacy, pride, and cultural connection. We’re just getting started.