Published author Shafinaaz Hassim is a Polokwane home-girl at heart, Polokwane Observer discovered during a recent interview whilst she was visiting her family in the city.
She has just released her second book, Nisa Qamar and the Rainbow Healers Society in what is set to become a children’s series. Her first book in this series, Nisa Qamar and the Master of Jinniaville was released in October 2016.
Hassim is a public sociologist and a writer based mainly in Johannesburg and Polokwane. Her work has been shortlisted for various local and international awards and she has been commended by Unesco and the London Book Fair as one of the top 39 authors under the age of 40 in Africa in 2014.
She is the author of nine publications including the Nisa Qamar series and her books can be purchased online or at various bookshops around the country.
Hassim shared how Nisa Qamar came about. “I’ve been writing adult fiction and non-fiction for a dozen or so years and as my eldest niece, Madeeha, has been devouring young adult novels, she has been sharing her reviews with me. It made me think back to the many books of my childhood and how I would have also loved to read more books and characters that I could identity with and that reflected our multiple and diverse cultures and that is how Nisa Qamar was born,” she explained.
The book was shortlisted for the Minara Aziz Hassim Literary Award 2017 and she says the second book has been well received.
Referring to encouraging children’s positive development, she said in an era when there is so much stress and anxiety that encompasses one’s life, one needs to encourage empathy from a young age, which she believes her books do.
She shares that she is already writing book three, along with some ideas as to where this character will take readers in book four. Hassim further said she has been writing a new adult novel for the past four years. “I am hopeful that it will be completed in the next few months.”
Hassim grew up in Polokwane. “I spent a colourful, memorable childhood here. I left at 18 to study at the University of the Witwatersrand, and I eventually worked there. I’ve also lived in Durban when I lectured at University of KwaZulu Natal, usually returning to Polokwane for holiday visits. My parents live here so when I left the academy, I decided I would spend more time back in Polokwane.
“I find the city has grown in wonderful ways and it offers the best of both worlds, small-town charm and sentiment alongside all the opportunities that a city brings. We’ve become more cosmopolitan and the flavour of the place has changed. What is important about small-town living is that one can rely on a sense of community during weddings, festivities and even in times of funerals. I find that I write best when I’m back in my hometown as my mind is clearer and more at ease. I’m definitely more productive here.”
She lists her family as being most important in her life, being parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. “I have an immense love for reading, before writing. And I love travel. As to my dislikes, I don’t like the smell of fuel and I don’t get people who are indifferent to what’s happening in the world or who show entitlement and lack social consciousness.”
Her advice to parents, is clear and simple: “Children grow up so quickly, don’t miss out on the little things. And don’t be too hard on yourself either, I’m sure you’re doing the best you can.”
Story and photo: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za
