A Kite’s Flight

by William Gumede

Published 2010 by Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd pp 32 ISBN 9781770098046

A Kite’s Flight is a richly illustrated book which tells the story of how Andile and his father make a beautiful kite. While flying the kite, its string breaks releasing the kite and taking readers on an epic journey across Africa. From the thundering Victoria Falls and the snow tops of Kilimanjaro to the Sahara deserts and ancient Egyptian Pyramids, follow the kite’s flight over some of the great landmarks of Africa.

The author, William Gumede, is better known as a political commentator and writer of serious books. He is Honorary Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Public & Development Management (P&DM), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He is a contributing comment writer for The Guardian, London. He was Deputy Editor of The Sowetan, Johannesburg. His book, Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC, (Random House Struik 2005), was a number one best-seller. He is co-editor of The Poverty of Ideas (Jacana, 2009).

A Kite’s Flight is Gumede's first children’s book. Illustrated by Maya Sereda, it is published in nine languages. 

‘n Vlieër vlieg oor Afrika (Afrikaans); Ukubhabha kweKayiti (isiXhosa); iKhayithi Elindizayo (isiZulu); Ho fofa ha Khaete (Sesotho); Go Fofa ga Khaete (Setswana); Phofo ya Khaete (Sepedi); Kundiza kweKhayithi (Siswati); Riendzo ro haha ra khayiti (Sitsonga).

In May 2011, A Kite's Flight won the (American) Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award, for Best Children's book in Africa.