Young author Oyama Zoe Mashazi and her brother Ndumiso Prince Mashazi recently celebrated a very special milestone when they launched their latest books on Oyama’s birthday, January 24.
The day was filled with excitement and pride, as the siblings marked another achievement in their young writing careers. For them, it was not just a birthday celebration, but also a celebration of their passion for storytelling.
Oyama, a Grade 6 learner from Lambton, launched her third book titled The Odd Baby Cow. The story carries a strong message about accepting yourself and being proud of who you are. It follows a baby cow that feels different from the others because it wants to drink milk from a glass and sleep on a mat.
Through this character, Oyama teaches children that it is okay to be unique. “I want children to know that being different is not a bad thing. You must always be yourself,” said Oyama. Last year, she also launched her second book, Madeline and Levile in Ballet Class, at the Germiston Library.
Prince, who is in Grade 9, launched his second book titled A Very Messy Story. His book focuses on hygiene and personal responsibility, encouraging children to keep their rooms clean and take care of their belongings.
“I wrote this book to remind children that cleaning up after yourself is important and shows responsibility,” said Prince. He added that he hopes his story will help learners develop good habits at home and at school.
Their mother, Thuli Mashazi, said she is extremely proud of both her children. She described them as hardworking and dedicated young authors with bright futures. She also shared that the church community has been supportive by purchasing their books.
The launch event was well attended by family, friends, writers, and literature lovers who gathered to celebrate the siblings’ growing success in the literary world.