The Herd Boy

The story describes a day in the life of an African herd boy from the Transkei region of South Africa. He watches over his flock all day, watches out for birds of prey and helps to save the life of a lamb attacked by baboons. On the way home a big shiny car passes the boy and his flock and the person inside winds down the window. It is Nelson Mandela. When he asks the boy what his dream is, the boy replies to be President. And the book ends with the boy’s big dream of a future very far from the sheep and the village. Nelson Mandela came from the Transkei region and was also a herd boy during his childhood. With an endnote about the link with Nelson Mandela and a glossary of African words.