
On the Microphone: Michelle Nkamankeng in the studio at Powerfm987 radio station. Photo via @Powerfm987 sur Twitter
After publishing her first novel Waiting for the Waves, seven-year-old South African Michelle Nkamankeng is being bowled over with requests for interviews and invitations to literary festivals.
Michelle’s novel tells the story of a little girl on holiday with her parents at a seaside resort. The girl, with the help of her loved ones, has to overcome her fear of waves. The novel is the first installment of a tetralogy. She’s already reportedly working on the next edition.
In an article about the young author for Ecce Africa, a news site dedicated to strengthening Africa’s positive image, Servan Ahougnon writes:
Michelle Nkamankeng relies on her parents’ full support, particularly her mother. The latter founded LANSM Publishing so that her daughter’s book would be published. Nevertheless, it is easy for Africa’s youngest author to talk about her passion with those around her.
When asked about what she thinks about herself and what she is currently achieving, Nkamankeng said, “I’m a humble little girl who writes books. I’m self confident and I inspire young children to follow their dreams”.
Daniel Orubo for konbini.com describes Michelle’s mother’s efforts in helping her and the young writer’s aspirations:
The website Farable Weekly, which acts as a news hub for all African trends on art, culture, fashion, music and cinema, also writes about the phenomenon that surrounds the young author. Writer Goke Alabi states:
At an age where most girls will be busy playing with toys or watching cartoons, 7-year old Michelle Nkamankeng is making the list of the top 10 youngest authors in the world.
The young South African becomes the youngest author out of Africa after she published her first novel ‘Waiting for Waves’.
Negro News, a community site for francophone Africa, summarises the novel’s content and includes Nkamankeng’s father Paul’s thoughts on his daughter’s work:
The precocious writer has, under the guidance of her mother, already established herself on Facebook and Twitter (links to her Facebook page and Twitter account here). The publication of her book has made her a star, and she has been invited to interviews and talks by schools, non-government organizations such as UNICEF, and TV and radio stations such as, Insta: Craze.tv, Radio2000, and POWER98.7. Even the BBC has contacted Michelle Nkamankeng for an interview:
It was announced on Nkamankeng’s Facebook page that she was to be one of the guests of honour at the SA Literary Awards 2016:
Michelle is currently on her way to Pretoria as a special guest of honour to the 11th SA Literary Awards (SALA) taking place tonight!
Michelle is indeed living proof of the famous words from Pierre Corneille’s, Le Cid: “for souls nobly born, valor doesn’t await the passing of years”.
Source: globalvoices