Fourways resident Keorapetse Chakela, a 24-year old travel enthusiast, has more up his sleeve than simple hard work.
He has his first poetry book, ‘Live. Laugh. Love.’ published in America.
Chakela was in the country as part of the Workaway International program which places South Africans in hospitality-focused positions at country clubs in America.
Chakela first joined the programme in 2008 and worked as a server assistant. He returned to the program in 2010 and decided to pursue his passion for literature and submitted his manuscript, leading to the publishing of his book, ‘Live. Laugh. Love.’
“From a very young age I always enjoyed language and literature, and writing was definitely something I loved to do,” he said.
“‘Live. Laugh. Love.’ is a poetry book that describes how I grew as a person from when I was young to the person I am today. The book shows the progression my life took as I got older, and how my views on life changed from negative to positive.”
Originally from Sharpville, Chakela matriculated from Jeppes High School for boys where his love of the English language was cultivated.
Apart from his passion for words, Chakela always had a love for hospitality, which is what made him join Workaway International.
“My favourite part of being on the program was to meet new people from all over the world and to develop culturally as well,” said Chakela.
He hopes to one day use the expertise to open his own restaurant.
Currently handling the operations for his family’s business, Chakela always makes time to give back and help others realise the potential they have.
“After returning home in January I wanted to give something back and am now the head of the Sharpeville Foundation Youth Organisation, a non-governmental organisation that caters for the needs of vulnerable children,” the poet said.
Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, expressed her delight in Chakela’s achievements.
“We are so proud of Keorapetse and how far he has come in his journey,” says Quenet-Meintjes.
“We are so happy that we could be a platform for him to develop his talent and to gain international recognition for his outstanding abilities,” she added.
Live. Laugh. Love. was only published in the US, but is available to order on Kalahari.com
