A Kite’s Flight
R
GR
This richly illustrated book tells the story of how Andile and his father make a kite. While flying the kite, its string breaks, releasing the kite on an epic journey across Africa. From the thundering Victoria Falls and the snow tops of Kilimanjaro, to the Sahara Desert and ancient Egyptian Pyramids, follow the kite’s flight over some of the great landmarks of Africa!
Story by William Gumede Illustrations by Maja Sereda
F S G N I EET
A C I R F OM A
A Kite’s Flight
9 781770 098046
Kites flight cover.indd 1
Jacana
ISBN 978-1-77009-804-6 www.jacana.co.za
Story by William Gumede Illustrations by Maja Sereda 2010/10/13 9:16 AM
A Kite’s Flight
Story by William Gumede Illustrations by Maja Sereda
Kites flight.indd 1
2010/10/11 11:21 AM
One summer morning, when the sun was beginning to spread its warmth across the clear, blue African sky, Andile asked his papa, “Are you busy now?” “Mmm,” said his papa. “Why do you ask?” “Because you promised you would help me build a kite,” said Andile hopefully. “Yes, great idea,” said his papa, putting aside the newspaper he was reading.
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“What do we need to make a kite, Papa?” asked Andile. “Let me see. We need paper, two sticks, glue and tape,” said Papa. “Oh, we can use your newspaper and some of Mamma’s string,” suggested Andile.
String
“We’ve got bamboo sticks in the garden. The driest ones will fly the best,” said his papa.
Glue
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After eagerly cutting, pasting and taping, their kite was ready to fly.
2010/10/11 11:21 AM
Bamboo sticks
Newspaper Tape Kites flight.indd 5
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They ran off to the beach to fly their new kite. It was a perfect day. The wind was neither too strong nor too weak – just the kind that would give a kite a lift.
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“Will our kite fly, Papa?” asked Andile. “We won’t know until we’ve given it a try,” said his Papa.
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Papa held the kite in one hand and the string in the other. As he ran, he rolled out the string and then released the kite into the air.
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Before long it was soaring above the beach. Papa handed the flying kite to Andile, who held it steady. It wasn’t long before the kite flew above the tallest buildings lining the beach.
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A light breeze lifted the kite over the Atlantic Ocean. Passers-by looked admiringly at the kite. One or two asked to hold it for a while. A beaming Andile allowed them to do so.
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apa? dile. P , r e h o hig asked An g t i t we le clouds?” d l u o ble to ,” “Sh n the a a e h t b r on’t ugh string w Highe e high w have eno o o t oes on’t “If it g We also d . see it s papa. i said h
South Africa
Table Mountain
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Suddenly, a burst of wind tugged at the kite and the string broke. Friendly hands on the beach tried to grab the string and rescue Andile’s kite.
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But the wind lifted it higher and higher into the sky. It rose above the cable car and disappeared beyond Table Mountain.
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The kite flew away from Andile and his papa. It flew northwards, over the Big Hole in Kimberley. The biggest hole dug by human hands in search of diamonds.
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Namibia
Botswana
Orange River
South Africa It crossed the Orange River and flew over the red sands of the Namib Desert of Namibia. The Namib’s dunes are the tallest in the world. Lizards and geckos dive under the sand to escape danger and keep cool.
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With love to Lars, Emil-Alexander and Misha, and the extended Gumede clan, Devon, Kaylin, Jaydine, Randy-Grace and Maxine. And with fond memories of the children of “the square”, Mecklenburgh Square, Goodenough College. William Gumede Emi and Yanni Maja Sereda
William Gumede was former Deputy Editor of The Sowetan newspaper. Among his books is the bestselling Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC.
First published by Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd in 2010 10 Orange Street Sunnyside Auckland Park 2092 South Africa (+27 11) 628-3200 www.jacana.co.za © Text: William Gumede, 2010 © Illustrations: Maja Sereda, 2010 All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-77009-804-6 Set in Century Gothic 15/17pt Printed and bound by Ultra Litho (Pty) Limited, Johannesburg Job no. 001219 See a complete list of Jacana titles at www.jacana.co.za
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2010/10/11 11:22 AM
A Kite’s Flight
R
GR
This richly illustrated book tells the story of how Andile and his father make a kite. While flying the kite, its string breaks, releasing the kite on an epic journey across Africa. From the thundering Victoria Falls and the snow tops of Kilimanjaro, to the Sahara Desert and ancient Egyptian Pyramids, follow the kite’s flight over some of the great landmarks of Africa!
Story by William Gumede Illustrations by Maja Sereda
F S G N I EET
A C I R F OM A
A Kite’s Flight
9 781770 098046
Kites flight cover.indd 1
Jacana
ISBN 978-1-77009-804-6 www.jacana.co.za
Story by William Gumede Illustrations by Maja Sereda 2010/10/13 9:16 AM