Father’s death motivates local teen to write a book
“The book is about me losing my father at a very tender age.”
A 16-year-old Mamelodi learner has authored a book, The Journey.
Neo Cholo of Mamelodi East extension 6, is a grade 11 learner at Ribane Laka secondary school. He wrote a book that narrates a story of how a young boy tackled depression and came out stronger.
Cholo said the book is based on a true story, the story of his life.
“The book is about me losing my father at a very tender age. My father was a victim of a meticulously staged betrayal where those my father regarded as friends stabbed him to death on his way home.
“This has led to the depression that Neo suffered as he could not reconcile after the inimical event that made him lose his father,” said Cholo.
He said it took him about eight months to write the book, which was launched in December last year and has sold over 1 000 copies.
“When I wrote the book, I wanted to share with the youth my experience and my emotions but most importantly how I managed to overcome everything,” said Cholo.
This is a story about how fate gave a young man another shot at life, and how he grabbed it with both hands and as a result, became an activist and an agent of change in his community through a multitude of initiatives through his organisation Teens With Vision, a non-profit organisation which believes in helping the community with essential goods and sanitary pads.
Cholo also won the African Authors awards and was nominated for Best Teenage Author.
Deputy principal of the school Ndingi Hlubi, said Cholo has made the school proud as a young man.
He described him as a learner who read a lot and wished him all the best in life.
Cholo said his goal was to become a lawyer.
His message to the youth of Mamelodi was that they should not rush the process.
“Give time to process everything. Most importantly, remove age from goals. Goals don’t require any age.”
Cholo may be contacted on 067 982 1511.
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