New book teaches children about the Gautrain

Transport MEC Imsail Vadi launched the 27-page illustrated book, titled Thembi and Themba Ride the Gautrain, among a group of 20 Grade 2 pupils at the Gautrain Protea Station this week.

The book, which was written by Manichand Beharilal and illustrated by Melvyn Naidoo, documents Thembi and Themba’s experiences as they take their first trip on the Gautrain.

The book was being translated into vernacular and would be distributed to schools and libraries.

Vadi said the purpose of the book was threefold – serving to promote literacy, motivating young people towards careers in the transport sector, and introducing the Gautrain to a new audience.

“We want to create a culture of reading, but we also want to inspire kids towards a future career in the transport sector… there are many new opportunities emerging in the transport sector and there’s a skills shortage in our country,” he said.

“If at an early age I can get these young learners to think about becoming a train driver or engineer or technical person, that’s great.”

He added that he wanted all children to experience travelling on the Gautrain and would encourage schools to consider taking pupils on the Gautrain for excursions.

Gautrain CEO Jack van der Merwe said the book served to familiarise children with the Gautrain, as well as encourage them to use public transport.

“I would like to plant the seed around engineering and say to children that the sky is the limit. [There] are… potential technical people that will help develop the infrastructure in our country,” he said.