Fifth book for young writer

Lukau

Young author and youth activist, Maria Madihlaba, has published her new book titled, “Bohlale Bja Mahlatse”.

The novel is a setting unfolding at Ithuteng Primary School in the remote Marageng Village in Limpopo Province. It is based on the main character named Mahlatse who is living with a disability and is being bullied by his friends.

In the climax of the book, things take a turn when Mahlatse does something remarkable at school to change the mind set of his peers. He was finally praised and become a role model to everyone.

Born and bred in Lukau Village outside Groblersdal, the 27-year-old said her book is telling the story of bullying, vision and success in a manner that it will capture attention of readers with its illustrative writing.

“My aim for writing Bohlale Bja Mahlatse children book is to caution learners and parents about the dangers of bullying at schools,” she said.

Maria said her love for literature blossomed when seeing her uncle reading a newspapers and that’s when she became motivated and fell in love with writing.

“I was able to learn to read fast because I read everything that I came across. I started writing when I was in Grade 2. I used to draw paper cards with my friends and write messages about them. I never stopped writing since then. As a child, to me writing was like a way of playing. I used writing and reading to go hand in hand,” she said.

She said she chose to write in Sepedi because of the pride she has about her roots and wants to leave a legacy by uplifting her mother tongue.

To date, Maria penned five books since her first publication in 2020, a poetry anthology called “Poetic Minds Combined”.

“From there, I compiled a Sepedi poetry anthology called “Sa Mafahleng A Rena” in 2021. I also co-authored a novel titled “Tau Tša Hloka Seboka” in the same year. In 2022, I got published in a poetry anthology titled “Dikgagara Tša Bareti” and a Sepedi children book titled “Bohlale Bja Mahlatse”, she said.

Apart from writing, the Generic Management studies graduate from Sekhukhune TVET College is a leader of SKC Talent Agency which is based in Turfloop.

“We nurture young talent by being a bridge between local and professional industry. My role is to coach upcoming authors and do secretarial duties,” she said. Maria is also the owner of BlessedInk Publishers, which was established in 2021.