Young writer visits Rotary Club of Johannesburg
AUCKLAND PARK – Award-winning 13-year-old author credits her mother for her success and growth.
The members of Rotary Club of Johannesburg were pleased to spend the evening with an amazingly gifted, hard-working respectful and responsible author.
On 18 February, 13-year-old bestselling multiple international award-winning child author, activist, philanthropist and public speaker Stacey Fru paid a visit to the club.
President of the Rotary Club of Johannesburg Grace van Zyl explained what prompted the club to invite the budding author. “Stacey’s work to encourage children to read is vital if they want to achieve academically. To change a country we need to start with the youth and empower them through education.”
This philosophy is in line with the club’s educational facilities programme, which is also their flagship project.
Stacey’s writing journey started years ago when she was seven years old. She explained that she saw a blue book being passed on from person to person during a video of her mother’s master’s degree graduation. The young Stacey believed that her mother had written a book and didn’t share the news with her. Stacey said, “I didn’t know what it was, so I automatically assumed that my mother wrote her first book without telling me.”
This caused Stacey to burst into tears. Angered, she promised herself that she would write a book as well without telling her mother.
Present on the day was Stacey’s mother, Victorine Mbong Shu, who she described as the biggest support and inspiration to her dreams and goals. “She has supported me through my whole journey, her and my father. I’ve seen the role she’s played in my life and my sibling’s lives. It’s so tremendous because it’s affecting us in a good way as she’s leading us to do greater things.”
Stacey added that it’s not easy to juggle being an author, having a foundation, going to school and keeping up with the day-to-day tasks she is responsible for. Even though she has experienced challenges in these fields, she has been able to overcome the major hurdles she has faced to be successful.
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Van Zyl said, “Stacey’s achievements are truly remarkable, and even more so because of her age. Her success is largely attributed to the support she receives from her parents and other support structures. But more than that, her passion and vision for every child to be able to read, and then do something about it is what makes her exceptional.”
Everyone in attendance enjoyed the presentation and conversations they had with Stacey. All present were taken aback by the big goals she has set out for herself but were truly confident that she will achieve them. The Rotary Club looks forward to seeing Stacey’s continued success and growth.
