Umthombo Magic 2: The Curse of the Tokoloshe, the thrilling new supernatural adventure for middle-grade readers by South African author Charles Siboto, has made the official selection for the MIA Book Adaptation Forum 2026.
Its selection by a prestigious international jury as one of only 8 books to be presented at this forum attests to its strong potential for screen adaptation. It is an honour for Catrina Wessels Rights Management to be the literary agency presenting it at this upcoming audiovisual market in Rome.
The Curse of the Tokoloshe is the second book in the Umthombo Magic series, a supernatural small-town adventure series rooted in African mythology, which features the Spookfontein Rangers, a group of friends with a clear motto: “We help people with monster problems, and monsters with people problems!”
In this latest book, Spookfontein is plagued by eerie disturbances caused by a vengeful Tokoloshe. When Gayle, a mysterious girl with no memory of her past as the Lightning Bird, seeks help, the Spookfontein Rangers uncover a curse and race to break it before the town is doomed.
Blending suspense, supernatural adventure and the intrigue of African folklore, Umthombo Magic 2: The Curse of the Tokoloshe is a compelling story and an intriguing proposition for screen-adaptation professionals seeking distinctive stories with a strong cultural identity.
The MIA (Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo) Book Adaptation Forum will take place from 20 – 22 October and aims to bring literary works with high potential for film and television adaptation to Rome, offering a key opportunity for international networking and collaboration.
Read more about the MIA Book Adaptation Forum here:
About the book
The residents of Spookfontein are being plagued by eerie disturbances and a creeping sense of dread hangs over the community. Amiah and her friends soon realise that these incidents are the work of a Tokoloshe, a mischievous and malevolent creature with a hidden vendetta.
Meanwhile, Gayle Ntaka, the mysterious new girl in school, seeks out Amiah and the others for help. She claims to be suffering from amnesia, remembering nothing of her past supernatural identity as Impundulu, the Lightning Bird. However, Hannah, who recalls Gayle’s role in previous events, remains suspicious, which creates tension within the Spookfontein Rangers.
As Amiah and her friends investigate, they uncover that someone in Spookfontein has summoned the Tokoloshe to curse Gayle, wiping her memories and suppressing her powers. To break the curse, the Spookfontein Rangers must track down the Tokoloshe’s origins and find the muthi that grants the creature its power.
Gayle’s life and the future of Spookfontein hang in the balance, and it’s up to the Rangers to break the curse and save everyone.
About the author
Charles Siboto studied English Literature and Linguistics at the University of Johannesburg. He then worked as an editor for children’s and youth literature for four years in Cape Town, immersing himself in the city’s vibrant energy. He also spent a delightful year working as a fiction and non-fiction editor, refining his skills in diverse writing styles. Storytelling, from childhood favourites to cutting-edge tech trends, fuels his passion for crafting clear, engaging prose.
He now resides in Germany, where he teaches English and works as a freelance editor, proofreader, and writer, sharing his love for language with others.
Illustrations by Tanika Cronje, Cape Town based illustrator.
Publication details
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Publication date: 1 October 2026
Age group: 9 – 12 years
Genre: Children’s / Teenage fiction
Categories: Action and adventure stories / Horror and ghost stories, chillers / Traditional stories
Extent: 128 pages
Series: Umthombo Magic
Previous Titles: Umthombo Magic 1: The Legend of Mamlambo
Rights queries: info@catrinawessels.com
