‘Youngest author in the city’

13-year-old Saiba Maharaj is heading for the stars as she has laid the ground for being the youngest author in eMalahleni.

A passion for writing and poetry, she has so far managed to write and publish two poetry books last year and this year.

She realised her passion for writing when she was in Grade 7 in 2017.

She gave herself the title ‘youngest author in Witbank’ because she is currently the youngest author in the city.

She published her first poetry book titled ‘Silence Your Soul for None’ last year and was received with great success and admiration.
Her second book is titled ‘Starstruck Outcasts’ and was published this year in March.

She is also enthusiastic about reading, drawing, painting and music.

She stated that most of her poems are about life, experiences and feelings in her life.

Her target market is anyone who would like to write something to someone else; you can use her book.

She said she was a bit nervous about the first book.

“I was nervous because I was in primary and much younger but with the second book it was okay because I am a bit grown,” she said.

Preetha Maharaj is very proud of her daughter and said she has a unique talent for her age.

“I want her to be an inspiration and role model to the youth as well to never give up on their dreams.”

She gives her daughter all the support she needs.

She said: “I am her biggest fan, always filling her with encouragement, inspiring her to achieve her goals. We do not put pressure on her and all the work is all her own.”

Saiba has collaborated with Jabez House to raise funds and donations as a continuous initiative.

Coming to her achievements, she was awarded the Girl Child Award at the Sunrise Women’s Awards hosted by the Admire Billy Malubana Foundation and she was part of the Take a Girl Child to Work event that was hosted by the Emalahleni Housing Company last year.

She has also done book signing and motivated other young girls to also achieve their dreams.