At Kareeville Primary School in Kimberley, South Africa, hundreds of learners are bursting with excitement. Dressed smartly in their school uniforms, they jump and dance in the school hall to the infectious rhythm of Emmie Deebo’s hit song Sheri Banana.

Fondly known in Malawi as simply “Deebo,” the artist matches the children’s energy, bouncing alongside them as they sing and celebrate.
 
Sheri Banana, a cherished childhood song in Malawi, has been reimagined by Deebo with fresh lyrics and a modern twist, making her a beloved figure among children across the country.

This lively scene is part of a tour in Kimberley, where Deebo is joined by fellow South African artists Sphocky and Baby Face, along with American musician Aubrey Scatt. 

The group is concluding their final performance in the town before heading to Malawi for the next leg of their tour.

All four artists are ambassadors for FUNetix, a U.S.-based organization committed to helping millions of children around the world escape the cycle of illiteracy.

In Malawi, at Nkhoma Ground on the outskirts of Lilongwe, the arrival of the FUNetix ambassadors is met with overwhelming excitement.

Emmie Deebo, arguably the most beloved artist among Malawian children, is at the heart of the celebration. Her presence is a major event for the primary school learners who have long admired her.

But the tour is more than just music and celebration. The FUNetix ambassadors are on a mission with a deeper purpose: promoting the FUNetix App, an innovative educational tool that helps children learn to read English more easily by simplifying its rules.

Deebo expressed her joy at being able to use her influence to make a meaningful impact in children’s lives, combining entertainment with empowerment.

“Through my fanbase, I’m able to bring together a large group of children at once. They are learning how the FuNetix app works, and that’s why it’s so important for me to be involved in this initiative,” she said.

The FUNetix App was developed by Kalli Woodward, who discovered a breakthrough method for teaching children to read in a short period of time. His inspiration came after realizing that his six-year-old son was struggling to read English.

Woodward said: “FUNetix is based on diacritics, a concept that dates back to the ancient Greeks, and that was adopted by the Arabic, Hebrew and Farsi languages to help children learn how to read. 

“It is a method of applying little pronunciation marks to words in order to help new readers sound them out and learn to read correctly.  

He added: “When kids can “say” the words as they read, it makes it easier for them to process and internalize meaning and unique spelling patterns. 

This is especially important in English, where so many words have the same letter patterns, but very different pronunciations and meanings!” 

The challenge of children failing to read remains a widespread issue across the SADC region. In Malawi, the learning poverty rate stands at a staggering 87%. Learning poverty refers to the inability of a child to achieve minimum proficiency in reading, numeracy, and other foundational skills by the end of primary school.

This means that 87% of Malawian children in Standard 4, typically around age 10, cannot read at the expected level.

According to the World Bank, South Africa fares slightly better, with a learning poverty rate of 79% as of 2022.

To address this shared crisis, the FUNetix initiative is bringing together artists from Malawi and South Africa to raise awareness and inspire change.

Among them is South African ambassador Baby Face, whose real name is Ayabonga Ndlovu.
 
At just 16 years old and in Grade 10, she has already become a rising star in her country and across the SADC region, commanding a large following on social media.

Baby Face believes that artists have the power to influence and inspire, and that their voices can help reduce the number of children growing up without basic reading skills.

“As artists, we need to be involved because we have significant influence across Africa,” Baby Face said, “By introducing this app to children, we can make a powerful impact on their reading journey.”

Sphocky, another South African FUNetix ambassador, is equally enthusiastic about the collaboration. 

He shared that meeting and networking with fellow ambassadors from other countries, such as Malawi’s Emmie Deebo, not only strengthens their shared mission but also helps expand his fan base across borders.

At Nkhoma Ground, located in the rural outskirts of Lilongwe City, excitement fills the air as many children witness Sphocky and Baby Face performing live for the very first time. 

On stage, Sphocky leads with his vibrant vocals while Baby Face complements the performance with her signature dance moves, graceful, energetic, and uniquely hers. 

Sphocky joins in, mirroring her style, creating a dynamic and captivating performance.

Their chemistry on stage is undeniable. From the way they interact with the crowd, it’s clear they’ve won over new fans and followers in Malawi.

Sphocky later shares that he is already collaborating on new music with Emmie Deebo, blending their artistic styles to create something fresh and exciting for audiences in both Malawi and South Africa.

“It feels so good because it’s like we are truly supporting each other through this collaboration. 

“Thanks to this opportunity of coming together, we are now working on a new project with Emmie Deebo that we have created together,” Sphocky said. 

Of course, FUNetix is not limited to just Malawi and South Africa. The initiative extends its reach across the continent, with ambassadors also active in Rwanda and Uganda.

Beyond regional representation, the FUNetix App, available for free, can be downloaded by anyone, anywhere in the world.

To date, it has been downloaded in over 65 countries globally, helping children everywhere unlock the power of reading.