Themba: A Boy Called Hope

by Lutz van Dijk

Growing up in rural South Africa, Themba dreams of becoming a famous footballer. One day he leaves his village and travels with his sister to the city in search of their mother. Life is a struggle there and Themba has to grow up fast.
A lucky break gives him the chance to train as a footballer in the premier league. Finally, he’s playing professionally and everyone wants to know about the rising young star – but Themba has a secret – should he tell the truth and risk everything he’s ever dreamed of?

‘… an inspirational coming-of-age drama about a young South African boy’s escape from poverty and the pursuit of a dream.’
– Spling online
‘… It’s a rags to riches story – a story of hope, of dreaming your dreams and achieving them, and it’s also a story of friendship…’
– The Sunday Independent

Now also an award-winning feature film
www.thembathemovie.com

Genres: Young Adult

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2008

About the author

bis 1992: Lutz van Dick

Reviews

[Boomerang · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a teenage boy who likes playing football and you want to get him to read, try this book.
It's about a boy in South Africa who is mad keen on football and makes it to the premier league. Along the way there's heartbreak and pain, a lot of growing up and discovery about who to trust and how to look after yourself.
It says the author runs a charity for AIDS victims in South Africa and inevitably, there are characters in the novel who suffer from this disease and are unwittingly affected - bringing a healthy dose of reality to teenage boys who tend to think they are immortal and will never catch a sexually transmitted disease - let them be warned as they dream of bending it like Beckham.

[Thando Sithole · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far so good