Author Manichand Beharilal holding his latest edition of Thembi and Themba book series.
Image: Supplied / Manichand Beharilal
CHILDREN'S book author Manichand Beharilal has added another exciting chapter to his popular series with the recent release of the 15th title in the Thembi and Themba collection.
The new book is titled Thembi and Themba Visit uShaka Marine World.
In this latest adventure, the curious siblings explore uShaka Marine World, where they learn about marine life, ocean conservation and the importance of keeping our seas clean.
Beharilal, 66, was born in Umzinto on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast and grew up in Springfield, Durban. He is full-time author and motivational speaker and the founder of Manichand Beharilal Literary Services Publishing (MBLS).
His writing, he says, is dedicated to the children of South Africa “in the hope of a better and brighter future”.
The new book was published in collaboration with the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) and uShaka Sea World. Like the previous titles, it carries a strong educational message.
Thembi and Themba: Visit Ushaka Marine World, the 15th title of Thembi and Themba book series, available in 7 South African official languages.
Image: Manichand Beharilal
The series is published in seven of the official South African languages - English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho and Setswana - making it accessible to children across the country.
Beharilal published the first title in the series - Thembi and Themba at the Library - in 2012.
He recalls that the idea originated years earlier while attending the Inaugural Northern Cape Annual Religious Festival in Kimberley. He saw a long line of children walking past and wondered to himself, “Are these children reading?”
That night in his hotel room, he began writing a story to encourage children to visit libraries and develop a love for reading. The manuscript remained a draft until 2010, when he revisited it and decided to start his own publishing company. That decision led to the birth of MBLS, and the first book was released two years later.
“I absolutely had no idea that Thembi and Themba would become so popular and grow into a 15-title series,” he said.
The idea to turn it into a series came from a small moment in the first book.
While at the library, Themba pulls a book about aircraft from the shelf and tells his sister he wants to become a pilot one day.
“When I read that part again, I said to myself, I now need to take the children to an airport. They have never experienced an airport,” Beharilal explained.
“It dawned on me that millions of our children will never enter an airport, let alone fly in an airplane."
That inspired the second title, Thembi and Themba at the Airport.
Since then, the siblings have explored many places and topics, including national symbols, the Gautrain, Nelson Mandela and the African lion.
Beharilal said he never imagined the books would one day be used in schools across the country.
“I thought it was just going to be for libraries,” he admitted.
The POST asked him what the most fulfilling part of his journey had been. He said writing for children had been deeply rewarding.
“Personally, writing for children has been very fulfilling for me. It has been such a wonderful experience, regardless of the challenges one faces. It’s wonderful knowing that you are writing something that will empower our children’s learning and inspire generations to come.”
Thembi and Themba are fictional siblings; Thembi is the older sister who guides her younger brother. The characters are inquisitive and always eager to learn.
Beharilal chose their names because they are common in South Africa, which makes it easier for young readers to relate to them.
He said one of his main goals was to give children who may never have the opportunity to visit certain places a chance to experience them through storytelling.
“Millions of children across the country, from the remotest rural areas to the cities, may never be able to visit uShaka Marine World. But Thembi and Themba give them the opportunity to experience it through the book."
In the latest title, the focus is on ocean literacy and environmental awareness.
“It serves as a platform for children to develop an interest in ocean literacy. Protecting our oceans is one of the most important issues today. The ocean regulates our planet's temperature, but it is being destroyed to such an extent that it is causing havoc in terms of climate change.”
He hopes the book will spark interest in marine careers such as conservationists or marine biologists, while also teaching children about what exists in South Africa, it’s institutions, attractions and heritage sites.
“All the books in the series have empowerment value. Children can read and learn about institutions they won’t usually encounter in other books. In textbooks, national symbols may only get a brief paragraph. But through Thembi and Themba, children get a full experience.”
Beharilal highlighted that writing for young readers presents unique challenges.
“The first challenge is that you must write within a certain word count. You must restrict your piece while still ensuring the message gets across, especially when explaining big concepts like marine systems.”
Despite this, he plans to continue the series beyond the 15th title. He hopes to take the siblings to places such as the Freedom Heritage Site Museum, Robben Island and even a zoo.
He also wants to explore topics like environmental issues, institutions and financial literacy.
Thembi and Themba Visit uShaka Marine World is now available at bookstores or email [email protected]