Tongaat teacher inspired by ‘ships of the desert’ publishes first book

Tongaat-born teacher Shivana Singh, who is now based in Dubai, recently published her first book Desert Warrior.

Published in July, it is a lively story of a feisty young camel’s heroic quest to be reunited with his family – an astonishing single feat for a camel that required great courage and skill.

It’s an epic journey that enthrals one with the best of both worlds – that is fiction and non-fiction.

The grade 4 English teacher said her inspiration came from her 135km drive to school daily, where she used to gaze out of the moving bus and was mesmerized by the picture-postcard views of sunrises, silhouettes of the desert and the most powerful symbols of endurance, strength and persistence, a truly amazing creature – the camel.

“My curiosity about the so-called ‘ships of the desert’ was further triggered when my colleague Nassra Alderei invited the staff to her private ‘isbaa’, farm, where we enjoyed camel rides, sampled camel’s milk and true Arabic cuisine. One cannot go on desert safaris and not step back in time and experience the greatness of the desert, enjoying a Bedouin camp, breath-taking entertainment and the food,” said Singh.

Even her pupils came on board to help her put her story together and had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with camel owners.

“The experience helped me discover my flair for writing and it was my ticket to exciting and daring adventures.”

She aspires to inspire others to take the risk, step out of their comfort zone and never look back.

Her book is available for download from popular online platforms and will soon be in bookstores.

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