For years, Thandi Moagi wrote stories online, sharing chapters with readers on Facebook and building a loyal following one post at a time.

Today, she can walk into a bookstore and find her novel, Wisani and the Bafokeng Brothers, on the shelf.

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The author recently spoke at Book Circle Capital in Melville, where she reflected on her journey from teenage dreamer to traditionally published author. Writing has been part of her life since she was 14 years old. “I started writing to escape real life and get lost in stories.”

Her latest novel follows Wisani, a determined university student juggling studies, work, and caring for her family. When she meets Mohapi Mofokeng, a charismatic leader with questionable morals, she finds herself caught between love and her principles.

Moagi describes the story as one that blends romance, suspense, humour, and family struggles, ingredients that have already won over thousands of readers online. Moagi believes inspiration can come from anywhere. “I can be sitting in a taxi and see someone carrying bags and immediately start imagining where they’re going and what their story is.”

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Before finding success in traditional publishing, she spent years sharing stories on Facebook, where readers followed her work chapter by chapter. Now, with her first traditionally published novel available in bookstores nationwide, she hopes more South Africans will give local fiction a chance. “South Africa has beautiful stories. We just need people to read them.”

Read more about Moagi’s publishing journey, the challenges of writing online, and why she believes every aspiring writer should simply start writing in one of our upcoming print editions.

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