Eight-year-old’s dream becomes a reality after publishing first book
"I told her that anything is possible and that if she writes a book, it can be published and sold in stores. I think that motivated her."
An eight-year-old from Lotus Gardens in Atteridgeville in Pretoria, Bontle Ndhlovu decided to chase after her dream to publish her first book, and with the support of her family, it became a reality.
“If you can dream it, you can do it. This quote, by Walt Disney, has already inspired many people to pursue their dreams, no matter how impossible it may have seemed at the time,” said Bontle.
Oceanic Oxy Rescue Mission is a book that tells the story of a family’s sea adventures.
According to the young author, a television programme inspired her to write a book.
“I saw an episode of Octonauts (a crew of animals who reside in an underwater base that resembles an Octopus) in which sea animals were rescued and I loved it.
“That was my inspiration,” she said.
When the story was captured on paper, her mother, Refilwe, sent it to an illustrator, Maxine Naidoo, to capture the words through graphical pictures.
“Maxine worked wonders to turn Bontle’s words into beautiful pictures,” said Refilwe.
Bontle said that when she saw the illustrations for the first time, she was so excited because that was exactly what she had in mind.
“I’m so glad we worked with Maxine. She had creative freedom, but understood that the characters had to look like my family,” explained Bontle.
It tells the story of Nyla and her family who are attacked by three sharks during a boat trip. They are rescued by Oxy and the dolphins.
“It’s a fun book about adventure,” said Bontle, who likes many such stories.
“I think people should read it, because it’s cute. There are also fun activities at the end of the book.”
Bontle loves stories.
“My mother has been reading to me since I was little and it made me love books. I have always loved making up and telling my own stories.”
Refilwe said that when they went to the bookstore, Bontle often wished her book would be on the shelf one day.
“I told her that anything is possible and that if she writes a book, it can be published and sold in stores. I think that motivated her.”
They received the printed copies a few days before Bontle’s eighth birthday.
“It was a long process, but seeing the joy on her face when she received it made everything worthwhile.
“It was an incredible experience for Bontle. It taught me that anything is possible,” she said.
Apart from her love of stories and languages (English and Sepedi), she is also an avid swimmer, singer and dancer.
She loves toys and animals, and enjoys playing with her friends.
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The release of the book is not only a dream come true, but she was also nominated by H&M in the same year as a local role model in their role model campaign – an initiative that focuses on empowering young voices.
If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she is still thinking about it.
She has already started writing her next book.
“Do not be afraid to pursue your dreams. If you work hard, you can achieve anything.
“I never thought that at my age that I would publish my very own book,” she said.
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