At just nine years old, Zoe Nyakale has published her first book, The Rain Princess of Boomplaas Village. The story explores courage, kindness and self-belief, offering young readers a message of hope and inspiration.

Published on September 18, the book also pays tribute to Boomplaas Farm in Lydenburg, a place that holds special significance in Zoe’s life and inspired the setting of her story. Her father, well-known actor Ronnie Nyakale, also hails from Lydenburg.

Bedtime stories spark early passion for reading

Zoe’s love for books began when she was very young. According to her mother, Lorraine Mashilo, bedtime was never complete without a story.

“Ever since Zoe was little, she would never go to bed without having a book read to her. She would choose a book and ask me to read it before she went to sleep. The funny part was that, before I could even finish reading the story, she would already be fast asleep,” Mashilo recalls fondly.

Recognising her daughter’s growing interest in books, Mashilo enrolled Zoe in a programme called Little Readers when she was three to help her learn to read. She believes that developing strong reading skills early in life is essential to a child’s education and development.

“Through my own experience, I have realised that a child can be very intelligent, but if they cannot read and understand what they are reading, they may struggle to answer questions correctly. Reading is not just about recognising words; it is about understanding, interpreting and making sense of information,” she explains.

For Mashilo, nurturing Zoe’s love of reading has always been about more than enjoying stories. It has also been about equipping her daughter with a skill that will support her learning throughout her life.

From a little girl who loved bedtime stories to a young author with a book of her own, Zoe hopes to inspire other children to discover the joy of reading.

Although reading remains one of Zoe’s greatest loves, she has discovered another passion since starting primary school: sport. Zoe enjoys several sporting activities, including netball, hockey, soccer and swimming. She said athletics is her favourite.

Her parents are incredibly proud of her achievement. They hope Zoe’s journey will encourage other children to explore their creativity, develop their talents and realise that age should never be a barrier in pursuit of their dreams.

Gift of goats inspires Boomplaas book setting

Zoe’s choice of Boomplaas in the title of her book is deeply personal. Her connection to the area extends beyond the story, as she is also a proud young goat owner with a growing herd there.

Her journey as a goat owner began when Ntate France Modiba generously gifted her a female goat. Zoe named the goat Diva, and what started as one special gift has since grown into a herd of five goats.

The gift strengthened Zoe’s connection to Boomplaas, making the setting of The Rain Princess of Boomplaas Village even more meaningful. Her goats have become part of her personal story and a reminder of how kindness and generosity can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

Young author aims to inspire children across provinces

Through the book, Zoe hopes to reach as many children as possible and encourage them to develop a love for reading. Her dream is to see children across the country reading and enjoying her book.

The book has already reached readers in Gauteng, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, marking an encouraging start to her journey as a young author.

Zoe’s story highlights the importance of nurturing children’s interests and encouraging them to explore their talents from an early age. From bedtime stories to publishing her own book, her journey has been shaped by her love of reading and the support and generosity of those around her.

The Rain Princess of Boomplaas Village is available at PNA Lydenburg The Heads for R90 per copy. Readers can also order the book by sending a WhatsApp message to Lorraine Mashilo on 082 844 8382.