Girl you are enough

DURBAN author Zonke Shazi-Hlongwane is on a mission to uplift young girls from her hometown of Inanda, with her newly published book, ‘Girl, You Are Enough’.

Billed as survival manual for township girls, Shazi-Hlongwane says her aim is to impart strategies for surviving social ills which could prevent them from reaching their full potential. She grew up in an abusive environment and hopes that by reading her story it will encourage other girls who face similar difficulties.

“The book is about my story and my personal perspective on how a girl can start to see herself as resourceful and be able to succeed against all odds.” She said the courage to write the book came from her surroundings.

“I have seen a lot of girls falling pregnant and I have seen them trying to escape their pain while actually trapping themselves even deeper into the pain of being mothers when they were not ready, and then losing themselves in the process and forming relationships that will break them even further, such as when they separatefrom the father of their child.

“So, I was inspired to help girls to find their worth and be able to dream and stay positive despite the challenges in their environments,” said Shazi-Hlongwane.

Released at the end of November, the book encapsulates Shazi-Hlongwane's personal journey and insights, which she hopes will help girls to succeed and rise above challenging circumstances. She says the writing process was cathartic.

“It has brought so much joy and clarity and it has actually helped me with forming an identity in terms of where I was born, who birthed me, what they have achieved, their shortcomings…and this is where I am now.

Shazi-Hlongwane told the Independent on Saturday that being a published author felt surreal and seeing the names of her loved ones in the book brought her a great sense of healing.

“When I look at the book I realise that it was actually not that difficult but because I did not believe in myself, it took such a while. So, I really feel accomplished, especially because I have always wanted to be a published author. I have come a long way in trusting myself as a person so I feel really happy,” she said.

While her target readers are those in their pre-teens from the age of ten, (motivated by the pregnancy rate in the country) she advised parents to use their own discretion when purchasing the book for their children.

Shazi-Hlongwane is mom to three boys. She matriculated in 2001 and then did a one year course in journalism at Pretoria Technikon before going on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in child and youth care. She currently works as a child and youth care practitioner, and also provides parenting solutions under her own programme, Ikusasa Ngelami. For Shazi-Hlongwane, an average day away from work consists of two hours of gym, reading, or writing.

“I find myself gravitating towards work. I do not know how to have fun. My favourite time is when my husband is available and we watch a movie or spend some time in nature listening to music,” she said.

Shazi-Hlongwane says that she had many hopes for the future. “I hope to get funding and hire a lot of Child and Youthcare practitioners who can help to develop young people and parents, so that children can have environments that are conducive for success,” she said.

Girl, You Are Enough’ can be purchased directly from the author who can be contacted by email at admin@ikusasangelami.org.