bafana bafana: a story of soccer, magic and Mandela. Art by Andrew Stooke.
A magical fable. Troy Blacklaws effortlessly conjures up the sights, sounds and rhythms of the South African landscape. Vikas Swarup, author of Slumdog Millionaire
There’s no sport that brings Africa (or the rest of the world!) together like football and this moving tale blends African village life, township dangers, and Nelson Mandela’s brave story ... to a conclusion where the beautiful game really is beautiful. Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet
Bafana Bafana : a school for men to boys to men to boys to men again. Hugh Masekela, jazz icon
A defiantly upbeat and magical book. Follow the adventures of Pelé, a village dreamer from the Eastern Cape ... to see his Bafana Bafana heroes play live. - Anderson Tepper, Vanity Fair, New York
A beautifully written tale of hope against all odds, the book follows the adventures of Pelé, a poor township boy who dreams of watching his soccer hero, Sibusiso Zuma, in action for Bafana Bafana, in which quest he is helped by Old Jamani, the village medicine man. The author craftily incorporates township folklore into the story, which adds to its appeal, and introduces charming characters such as Lynx, Leguaan and Jackal, who provide Pelé with talismans to aid him in his journey. The story combines hope, love and fear as it makes its way to a happy ending. - Zoubair Ayoob, Cape Argus
history: Jacana: Johannesburg, 2009. Donzelli: Rome, 2010.
