South African writer, Nathi Ngubane has produced a new childrenâs book on Covid-19. The book tells the story of the virus through the eyes of children living in informal settlements.
Duma Says is an educational series, written and illustrated by Ngubane and produced by Social Bandit Media (based between Johannesburg and New York).The series follows the adventures of Duma,age 10, his sister Zihle and their friends and is now available for free downloaded.
In Book 1, Duma Says: Wash Your Hands, Wear a Mask! Duma and Zinhle notice that many people in the community are not wearing masks and so they orchestrate a plan to try and protect their community.
The Department of Health has already placed both English and isiZulu version of the book on their Covid-19 resource portal, while the New York Cityâs School library system has added the book to its list of free international Covid-19 resources for children. Moreover, the book has also been translated into isiXhosa.
Ngubane has always wanted to produce a childrenâs book and says now was the right moment to do it. âThis was my opportunity to not only write my first childrenâs book, but also to write something that will be meaningful, and help educate children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds in SA and around Africa,â said Ngubane.
Azad Essa, Journalist and Founder of Social Bandit Media (the experimental media company behind the book) said the book series was special as it centred on communities that are usually erased from childrenâs literature.
A small batch of paperbacks will be made available for sale to select independent stores. International buyers can find the book on Amazon. All proceeds from the book will go to Open Air School in Durban, where Ngubane matriculated.
