Author and model (18) who made up stories on Facebook, has published her first novel. Fakude of Ntsako village outside Letsitele’s book, ‘Discovering the Truth’ is about high school friends who become lifelong partners. “Their love story is like a fairy tale. However, their engagement turns into a nightmare and their lives are turned upside down.

Their parents are blamed for hiding the truth from them, the truth that brings nothing but pain to their lives. It leaves them feeling hopeless and miserable. Figuring out a new lifestyle proves to be very difficult as they have to give up something in order to gain something,” said Bongiwe. She started writing in 2019 when she was in Grade 11.

“At first, I thought I was just writing a story on Facebook to entertain myself and other people, but a lot of people loved my stories and commented, ‘Continue to part 2’, in most of them. “During the lockdown, I focussed on writing and realised that a lot of people were comforted by my stories. I remember writing a story about albinism, and a girl with albinism left a comment, ‘I know I am beautiful, and I am enough.

Also read: Books that you won’t be able to put down

It has made me more comfortable with how I am and believe me when I say it has boosted my confidence’. So, I made a point that my stories help others, although they are fiction,” Bongiwe explains. “In all my stories I address a problem and a solution. I believe that a lot of people are going through something, and I come up with a solution that I think could work.”

She says she got tired of writing her stories on Facebook. “Some people posted my stories as their own. With my book, no one can steal my work and make it theirs,” said Bongiwe. Bongiwe looks up to Dudu Busani Dube, the writer of “Hlomu the Wife” books. “She really inspires me to better myself with every story. She is the most amazing writer I know.

This is my first book, and it is just the beginning, I am working on other books too,” she said. Bongiwe started modelling in 2020 while still at school. She is currently Miss Natural 2022/23 Best Ramp Walk, and Miss Xihoko 2022/23 First Princess. Her book is available at 066 492 4206 at R150 per copy and R