Sho Madjozi Releases Her Debut Children’s Book In Loving Memory of Her Late Sister
Internationally acclaimed musician Sho Madjozi, real name Maya Wegerif, recently released her highly anticipated children’s book, ‘Shoma and the Stars’ which was announced a few months ago. The award-winning artist’s book was inspired by the untimely passing of her younger sister, Makhanani “Nyeleti” Maganye, back in 2019.
Speaking about the book, the creative writing degree holder shared how her younger fans also served as inspiration for her children’s book. “My younger fans (also) became my little sisters when I lost mine. I call them ‘The Sho Madjozi Stars‘, (and they) motivated me to keep going. A few days after I lost my sister, thousands of girls rocked colourful Sho Madjozi braids. They were like bright little stars when my life felt so dark,” expressed the musician.
The Sho Madjozi Stars tells the tale of a little girl, Shoma, who grows up in a South African village. Shoma has always been different, from the way she dresses to how she likes to do her hair. The young girl has a little sister, Nyeleti, with whom she does everything with until the day Nyeleti disappears to become a star in the sky.
Nyeleti means “star” in Xitsonga.
The book further tells about Shoma learning to accept loss, navigate life as an outsider and learn that her uniqueness is her power. It is by being herself that Shoma saves the day and finds a new group of “sisters”.
Sho Madjozi also shared that she’s been passionate about writing since childhood.
“I have loved words all my life. I have been writing poems and stories since I was seven years old,” shared Sho Madjozi.
She further shares that her most cherished gifts from her parents as a child were the many books they gave her. Sho Madjozi attributes her love for writing to her subsequent interest and career in music.
Courtesy of WaAfricaOnline