Edenvale Author speaks about book series

A woman of international travel and curiosity, Edenvale resident Barbara Lawrence-Strydom hopes to change the perspective on waste and sustainability through her books.

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A self-described traveller who summited Mount Kilimanjaro and travelled from the Cape to Cairo, Lawrence-Strydom plans to write 13 books.

She has already written three – Waste Knot: Keep Africa Clean, The Power of Hemp and The Seed of Life.
She wrote them at home during the lockdown while she had free time.

The books aim to depict Africa in a new light using the #TheAfricaISee series.Lawrence-Strydom said she and her children moved to Edenvale in 2010. The books’ publication was last year.

Her late husband, Shirleigh Morris Strydom, to whom one of the books is dedicated, was the deputy head of the CoE’s Waste Department and died in 2018.

Lawrence-Strydom had a bench installed at Willow Park on National Literacy Day last year in his name to commemorate his life and contribution to the environment.

“I had just published my trilogy, which captured our story, my story in the South African cannabis movement and what I observed during lockdown regarding food security.”

As the eldest child in her family, Lawrence-Strydom said she grew up without a TV.

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To explain her passion for writing, she said, “Books have always been my private treasure.

“In the schooling system, I received books at award ceremonies, so I had a library of books.”

For her, writing is a cathartic process.

Between 2009 and 2014, Lawrence-Strydom donated boxes of books to children in rural communities.

“I know how books can shield you from the reality of despair and the anxiety of trauma.

“Once you get into a book, it develops your language. It’s a form of escape and helps readers travel the world.”

The first book, Waste Knot: Keep Africa Clean, which includes Shirleigh’s mantra, ‘Keep Africa Clean’ focuses on the story of the black bag and is dedicated to her family, the youth and the African continent.

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Lawrence-Strydom said the book discussed responsible waste management and what should and should not be thrown away.

It also talked about the couple’s journey across the world.

She said the book told the story of what the pair saw regarding waste management and recycling programmes globally.

The Power of Hemp tells Lawrence-Strydom’s story after her 10 years in South Africa’s cannabis space.

She became involved after being asked to look at a business in which she became involved as a member of its strategic team.

“The team travelled extensively across SA to indigenous communities, authorities and healers to participate in the bills being written at the time.

“I recognise the trauma many sit with around cannabis, and as things progressed, I could still pick up on anxieties.”

Lawrence-Strydom said she wrote the book to help families start talking about cannabis and focus on the 50 000 uses for hemp.

Besides this, the book discussed the environmental benefits of hemp, such as using it for plastic or building materials.

She said if plants were feared or misunderstood, it could cause future generations to miss out on business opportunities.

Lawrence-Strydom said Seed of Life discussed what a seed is.

“It highlights the importance of individuals and families having a seed bank.”

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She said with the correct knowledge, seeds are a source of food.

Besides working on several other projects, Lawrence-Strydom is continuing her series.

One of the books she plans to write includes her journey from the Cape to Cairo.
She is looking for a publishing partner.