The Adventures of Themba and Bizza

In 1849, in a peaceful village on the Southern African coast of the warm Indian Ocean, a boy was born called Themba. Like all the boys in the village, he worked very hard at becoming a skilful young man, but his life was meant to take a totally different direction. Little did he know that he would never grow old like all his friends and even less did he imagine that he would meet his very best friend in the streets of a township 149 years later. But Bizza, his best friend-to-be, only bursts out laughing when Themba tells him the incredible story of his childhood…

Also available in:

• isiZulu: Ubuhlalu obuyisikhombisa boMthombothi
• isiXhosa: Izacholo zoMthombothi Ezisixhenxe
• Afrikaans: Die sewe Mthombothi-krale

After Themba takes Bizza 150 years back in time to prove the power of the Mthombothi beads, Bizza decides to find his own way home, not realising where he is. However, the pulsating world around him quickly absorbs him and soon he is in pursuit of a band of warriors and their captives.

Themba, fortunately, finds Bizza and after some fearful encounters the two friends manage to make their way back home, unharmed. But Bizza’s pride is seriously dented.

Also available in:

• isiZulu: Izwe Lezigigaba
• isiXhosa: Ilizwe Lezigigaba
• Afrikaans: Die bekoorlike land

After the humiliation in the enchanted country, Bizza decides that he must take revenge against the warrior who forced him to run for his life. In order to achieve this, he ‘borrows’ Themba’s beads and brings the warrior to the year 2001. Of course, things go wrong and it is only with the help of his uncle Mzolo that Themba eventually gets ready to return the young warrior to his time.

At that moment, however, Ntokozo shows up.

Also available in:

• isiZulu: Ukuziphindiselela kukaBhiza
• isiXhosa: UBhiza Uyaziphindezela
• Afrikaans: Bizza neem wraak

On the banks of the Limpopo River, a group of archaeologists makes a dazzling discovery: a golden sceptre in the shape of an eagle is dug up from a deep low cave, but its craftsmanship is not like any encountered in the region before. Where did it come from and how long has it lain buried there? Greedy eyes are watching however and before the team can begin to unravel the puzzle, they are robbed of the prized object. In despair, they turn to Themba and Bizza who mount a recovery attempt, but just as they are about to recapture the sceptre, Bizza triggers off a series of blunders that leaves them caught up in the dangerous intrigues of an ancient kingdom.

Also available in:

• isiZulu: Intonga yegolide
• Afrikaans: Die Goue Septer

Circumstances have conspired to make Themba and Bizza the reluctant allies of one of two feuding dynasties in ancient Zimbabwe 500 years ago, and they are persuaded to help rescue one of its princesses.

They can in any event not leave without Justice and Innocent, the two vagabonds who unwittingly became caught up in the same turmoil, and who, captured by the opposing faction, have been ‘enlisted’ in the pursuit party.

This party is hot on the heels of Themba and Bizza, ready to strike at them with the fearful craft of the sorcerer of the Gomo Ronodhuma, ‘the Mountain that Whispers’.

Also available in:

• isiZulu: Ukubaleka kweNkosazana
• Afrikaans: Die Prinses op vlug