Zip Zap’s book for kids

Fund-raiser to further child illustrator’s career

CAPE Town social circus Zip Zap has launched a fund-raising drive to pay its child illustrator, Ayanda Nombelwu, who took more than a year to create the artwork for its first children’s book, I Can Fly.

The project began three years ago to turn the non-profit organisation’s story into a beautiful, read-aloud picture book for children.

It was written by a psychologist and illustrated by one of the talented circus children, Nombelwu, who in between his school work and circus practice drew for more than a year.

Zip Zap is now trying to raise the funds to pay the young artist for his first professional commission (22 drawings for the book) and to compensate Chip Snaddon, who has been adding colour and doing the typesetting.

The campaign is under way to help encourage Nombelwu along his path as an artist and a cut of the book’s proceeds will go to him, in the interests of furthering his tertiary education.

For the circus, paying Nombelwu at this point means he could potentially buy a drawing tablet so he could add colour to his own drawings electronically, or use the money to further his education as an artist.

I Can Fly is the true story of how the Zip Zap circus school saved the lives of thousands of children.

The author, Dr Zizz, directed a show for Zip Zap children’s circus in 1997, but it was marked by tragedy when the poster boy, Shorty, drowned.

The show went on and now, 20 years later, I Can Fly pays homage to that child and children across the world who dare to dream.

Zip Zap has created a special reward for promoters – if they share vociferously on Facebook and Twitter it will be noted, and the perks remain in place.

These include copies of I Can Fly, limited release Zip Zap Diaries for next year, family circus tickets and a chance to get your name or your company’s name in the book.

A special mystery perk is also up for grabs, but is only visible to any one with the special link found on Zip Zap’s campaign at www.indiegogo.com

The project began three years ago to turn the nonprofit organisation’s story into a beautiful read-aloud picture book for children