The Inspiration Behind “The Brave Little African Girl”
I am Thabitha Mathabatha, born and bred in Limpopo Province, from a village called Ga-Mathabatha. I have 4 adult children (2 girls and 2 boys). My love for children and child-like spirit are the reason I normally say that I am childlike, but not childish.
Travel is something I love with all my heart and it is through traveling that I rediscovered my worth. Anything African fascinates me and I dance to the beat of Africa.
“The Brave Little African Girl” is a children’s book that depicts my humble beginnings. It has real life components intertwined with fiction.
The book is about a little girl named Fofo who always questions why girls are treated differently from boys. One day, she ventures into the veld and finds herself helping a lion to give birth. She quickly forms a bond with the lion cub, but soon has to come to terms with the fact that the lion cub has to be returned to the wild. Depression sets in and her schoolwork suffers. With the love and support of her teachers and family, she gets her spark back.
Writing this book has helped my journey to healing. At the tender age of 4, I lost my father to his battle with depression. While still coming to terms with the loss of my father, I lost a dear friend when I was 8 years old.
I had always blocked out the loss and could not bring myself to deal with it. I never allowed myself to be vulnerable in case I would crumble, and I decided to face my fears by writing this book.
There is not a day that goes by without me thinking of my father and my dear friend. The thought that I could have easily lost my life the day my friend lost hers cripples me. Really, mercy rewrote my life.
In my dear friend’s honour, I want to touch little girls’ lives positively and encourage them to dream big and be whatever they want to become in life. I want to point their innovative and sharp minds in the right direction. I want to be the guider I never had.
With this book, my aim is to educate the world about the dangers that children find themselves in but are unaware of. I also want to remind readers that all children are equal. They (children) too can suffer from depression and it is our responsibility to do our best to guide and help them through all their challenges. After all, it takes a village to raise a child.
Some parents are not fully aware of some of the dangers their children could face without the guidance of those that have somehow experienced the trauma. My wish is to positively impact children – one parent at a time.
I would have failed the little girl that still lives in me if I did not write this book and I am truly grateful to be able to share it with the world.
Whenever I am sad or find myself going through a rough patch in my life, I revisit my happy childhood memories and my reflection always ends with the day my friend died. I think about how life could have been for my mother and my siblings if I had lost my life and I immediately get overwhelmed by gratitude for the blessing that is my life.
I also believe in the saying, “Rise African child”. It does not matter your background or your circumstances. Use your creativity to make a difference in your life.
The “Brave Little African Girl” was published in London and it is currently sold online in Softcover, Hardcover and eBook formats on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and AuthourHouse.com.
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