A new children’s book titled KANI is aiming to introduce young readers to the importance of saving and financial responsibility through a heart-warming and relatable story inspired by the author’s foster son.
Written by Thakane Rethabile Shale in collaboration with TKO Consultancy, KANI follows the journey of a curious young boy learning to manage money.
In an interview with theReporter, Shale shared the inspiration behind the book.
“I have a foster son named Kananelo, and over the years, I’ve been trying to teach him the importance of saving,” she said.
This desire to cultivate good financial habits in children led to the creation of KANI, which is aimed at readers aged six to 12.
Shale emphasised the book’s central message: “I want to teach children about saving and the concept of earning money through chores and contributing to household responsibilities. I also want to teach patience – that sometimes you have to wait and save before you can afford what you want.”
Kananelo’s own questions about money played a significant role in shaping the book’s content. “Being a child, he often assumes I always have money. I had to teach him that money is something you earn,” Shale explained.
She began giving him small responsibilities for which he earned money, helping him understand the value of saving for larger purchases.
Shale believes that primary school-aged children are especially receptive to these lessons. “At that age, kids are exposed to peer pressure and brand awareness. I want to show them that it’s more rewarding to save and build financial security than to spend impulsively on everything they see advertised,” she noted.
Kananelo’s own industrious nature further enriched the book’s narrative.
Shale fondly recalled an incident where he helped construction workers and proudly earned his own money. “You should have seen how proud he was!” she exclaimed.
Shale hopes KANI will have a long-lasting impact on young readers’ financial futures.
“Many of us, myself included, weren’t taught about money at a young age. We made poor financial choices because of that,” she admitted.
“I hope the next generation sees money not as something to fear or spend recklessly, but as something to understand through open and honest communication,” she added.
TKO Consultancy, a team of financial planners, played a vital role in ensuring the book’s financial concepts were both age-appropriate and relatable. They also provided guidance on how to expand the series as the character Kani grows older, allowing for deeper explorations into topics like investing.
The story was brought to life with vibrant illustrations by Tieho Mosoeunyane.
Shale hinted at further collaborations to enhance the book’s educational value through visuals.
She also stressed the importance of parental involvement. “I hope parents don’t just hand the book to their kids but read it with them. Set financial goals together, monitor their progress, and reward them when they achieve those goals. That way, kids learn that saving leads to real rewards,” she advised.
Although still in its early stages, KANI has already received positive feedback.
Shale revealed exciting future plans: “We already have a book on investing in the works, and we’re exploring other topics too.”
The future looks bright for KANI, and even brighter for young readers gaining financial wisdom at an early age.
