SetpredominantlyinthespectacularEasternCapeofSouthAfrica,THEMBA,isthemovingstoryofayoungXhosaboywhodreamsofbeingasoccerstarandlongsforhisabsentfathertoreturnhome.Hisnon-idyllicchildhoodintheruralEasternCapecomestoanabruptendwhenhismotherisforcedtolookforworkinCapeTownafterlosingherjob,andheandhissisterareleftinthecareofherlover.AfterThembaisraped,heandhissistergotolookfortheirmotherinCapeTowneventhoughhissoccerteamstandstowintheEasternCapeJuniorchampionships.TheyfindherdyingofAIDS.Thembahastoforcethefactthathe,too,isinfected.Againstallodds,herealizeshissoccerdreamandplaysforBafanaBafana.ThisgiveshimthecouragetotakeapublicstandandtelltheworldthatheisHIVpositive.WrittenbyStefanieSycholt