Africa meet Lerato Phakoe from Sa, Soshanguve based in the province of gauteng the resilient South Africa teen award winning author of two books and the founder of Lerato Phokoe Npo, CEO and director of vivified blazon and an entrepreneur.
By: Themba Emanuel Mashobane
themba.mashobane@gmail.com
Who is Lerato and what she stands for?
Lerato Phakoe is a young lady full of determination, compassionate, hardworking and goal oriented. Her fullest potential got unleashed after she invested in her talent of writing, after figuring out that she can actually use her talent to communicate and empower the world through writing she got motivated to go through the process of self publishing her books.
Do you come from a literary background?
I come from a family where our elders used to share with us folk tales, majority of my family memebers have the imaginative disposition like me and they can creatively narrate a story any time they are asked to do so. I am the first in my close and extended family to write and publish books.
What writers did you enjoy reading as a child?
I enjoyed reading ‘Clouds’ by Bessie Head and ‘Our story magic’ by Gcina Mhlophe
Did you write as a child?
Yes i started to write exceptional at the age of 12 back then i was doing my 7th grade and i had mastered the writing elements in different parts of literature.
How did you get started as a poet?
I don’t refer to myself as a poet i am just a writer, i write novels, novellas, short stories, plays and poems. I wrote my poetry book to give out motivation in a different format and category as some readers prefer reading poems than short stories to receive motivation or engage in reading. So i simply started to write poems to voice out my thoughts in a different format of writing.
Do you find writing easy?
Most definitely i spend most of my time reading different genres of writings so i can simply say writing and reading are my daily routine activities.
Describe your working day
As a CEO and director of my company i am excepted to put in more work on my company. I start during midnight with writing articles and designing posters for our clients, then later in the morning all my energy is directed to my academia life then we get ready for my interviews and trips as most of my time i spend travelling to promote my books.
Do you do much research?
Yes as a reader i come across so many interesting words and information that needs understanding so i research more frequently. I have also developed a disposition of being curious because of my travellings. On the 7th of July i have met with General Bantu Holomisa who is a politician and the president of UDM. We have met on the show called Daily Thetha that plays on SABC 1 channel 191. He also got me researching a lot about politics and how as a young person i can help parties like UDM to grow. I also met with different actors on the 9th July in Sandton, Gauteng at Alkebulan authors platform . I wanted to know how as a young writer can i fit in to the industry and i got my answers through my research i was also humbled to be in the same room with Dr Tumi who is a musician, Gabriel Temudzani who is a actor, legendary Jabu Hlongwane and many more this are the people who motivates me a lot to do my homework of researching.
How do your poems develop? Please guide us through the stages of a poem
My poems develop from my mood and feelings. I am someone who regularly get oppressed by feelings and don’t feel like sharing with other people, i then pen down my feelings to release the current pain or excitement in order for me to get back to my balanced feelings.
I sometimes get so motivated because of the faith that i have in my goals and dreams so i end up writing poems to the world that are titled ‘Dear world/ Dear my Africa’ this is how i communicate through my writing.
Do you show your work in progress to anyone?
No, I only share or announce when it is done.
How did you manage to fit writing in with other demands on your time? Are you good at managing your time?
Time management played a huge role in my success. As a young person my life is unique from how my peers live theirs, i priorities in things that adds value to my future which is, excellent perfoms in my academia life and hustling to maintain the life i aspire to live. I make time for my writings and i love and cherish every moment i get.
How do you relax?
I relax by meditating and and making time to invest in my spiritual wealth that’s the only time i get to be calm and observed.
Who are your favourite living writers?
Kamogelo Masoga the author of ‘chasing the dream’ and Nontlantla Mthimkulu the author of ‘Here’ last but not least Tshidi Monkoe the author of ‘Prison love’. What i love about them is that they are exceptional writers who come from SA and are paving their ways to big places, not only are they talented in writing but they play a huge role in empowering aspiring authors.
Who are your favourite dead poets?
The deceased Mama Africa Zenzile Miriam Makeba. Her amazing work motivates me a lot and makes me fearless and unapologetic to express my deep feelings through my craft.
How did you first get published?
My first book which is the award winning called The kindness paid with pain got published when i was seventeen while doing my eleventh grade.
I reached out to Pauls Literary publishers to help take me through the process of self publishing and they assisted. My second book also got published with the same publishing company when i was doing my matric in 2021.
The kindness paid with pain -(international award-winning book under the empowerment category) is a fictional story about the difficultieswe face on a daily basis. It motivates readers by reminding them that the turbulence we face in life isn’t meant to harm us; rather, it’s there to help us grow and release the best in ourselves. Despite the fact that this is a fictional story, Lerato based it on her own childhood experiences and dedicated it to her mother and grandmother. The reason for this dedication is that Lerato recalls how these two phenomenal women taught her to always remain kind to others, even if that generosity was undeserved.
For the sake of living-is a poetry collection compiled by Lerato in which she featured three more young poets to help her come about with the book and to help them showcase their talents. This book reminds readers of their purpose and poses the question, “Who are you?” “The mastery of human existence resides not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for,” says the book’s fundamental message.
Can you give any advice to someone wanting to write and publish their work?
Firstly they must make it a norm to read a lot especially their work before contacting publishers. They must proofread and save enough to avoid complications as publishing services costs. They must remember that a writer is a reader, you cannot start investing in something that you have not familiarized yourself with so reading is the first step to being a good author.
Do you enjoy promoting your books and meeting your readers?
Yes i do, a thought has triggered my mind that i sell a lot when i go out to meet my readers in person. I am not talking about only readers i am talking about radio personalities and television personalities. As this people hear about my story and background they resist to let me go with out showing their support. When i go out to youth empowering programs also i meet many young people who are interested in my writings and supports me.
My message to people out there is that they must use their backgrounds as a stepping stone to propel themselves into the future.
Where can you be reached out if someone want to hookup with you about your books and follow you on your social handling?
I am more active on my Facebook: Author Lerato phakoe/ my personal account: Lerato Phakoe. On Instagram: author_lerato_phakoe and on Twitter: @LeratoPhakoe4. I can also be reached on my WhatsApp to take orders: +27 68 266 6988
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