An eight-year-old author from Kensington, Johannesburg, has made writing books look simple.
Michelle Nkamankeng, who published her first book at the age of seven, titled Waiting for the Waves, is passionate about reading and writing and her book is available in many school libraries and book shops.
Michelle, the youngest author in Africa, also features in the top 10 of the world’s youngest authors.
Speaking at the launch of Pan-African Literature at Windybrow Theatre in Hilbrow last week, Michelle said: “Mr [Nelson] Mandela said that education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world. A person can educate him or herself by reading.
“Books help us turn our journey of growing up into a [real] journey where we start and learn new things.”
The theatre recently turned part of its space into a hub for the advancement of Pan-African literature. With the help of Exclusive Books, it launched two reading lounges.
Michelle, who is in Grade 3 at Sacred Heart College in Observatory, says reading is important because it helps one to read and write better.
She believes people can start educating themselves by reading. “Reading exposes our mind to different cultures and languages of the world.
“You can still write books in your own language, it does not have to be English. Great leaders became great because of the inspiration they got from reading books. ”
She wants to be a paediatrician later in life, a journey she believes she has already begun through her enthusiasm for books.
She started reading books at the age of four. At the age of six, she wrote her first book, which took her only four weeks to pen.
The young author says it was tough because she struggled to write words like conquer, and she had to constantly do some research.
“Reading is important to conquer our fears, and carry on your dream. If you can’t read, you can’t write,” she says.
“I am saying, we should start learning new words and carry on with our dreams. I want to inspire other kids to know that full stops are not stop signs, but guidelines.”
Michelle plans to publish two books by the end of this year.
Her mother and also a publisher, Lala Atah Nkamankeng, is proud of her daughter’s achievements. “It is overwhelming as a parent. What she is doing inspires other kids to read. We hope this will change how children in Africa regard literature,” she said.
Waiting for the Waves is about a little girl named Titi who is on a beach holiday with her family. Ultimately the love of her Uncle Joe and family help her conquer her fear of the big waves. Her fascination for the waves also underscores the law of polarity of both love and fear.
By Patience Bambalele
