Budding author releases two books to honour a hero

The 12-year-old Stacey Fru believes there are many ways to honour a hero.

The youngest bestselling multiple international award-winning child author released two books at the opening of a library in Pretoria during Nelson Mandela International Day.

She released her fourth and fifth books titled Where’s Tammy? and Tim’s Answer during the opening of the library. The budding author said people were captivating and keen during the event in which she read a full chapter from Tim’s Answer to the young ones. “It was a great event. I also spoke about my new books,” she said.

She indicated that it was her way of honouring Nelson Mandela. “There are many ways to honour a hero. One of them is teaching, and another to be a role model to others.”

The young activist and a public speaker who is determined to change the world with her pen and paper, one step at a time, said releasing two books was her way of honouring Nelson Mandela.

Her fourth book titled Where’s Tammy? is a full version of a short play that she wrote, acted in, and directed for the Gauteng Department of Community Safety in 2016 under the auspices of MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane when the then nine-year-old debuted her career as a safety and security activist for children.

In this book, she used the lesson of a six-year-old Tammy who was snatched while his father answered a telephone call to call the attention to this devastating way of losing a child to both parents and children.

Her fifth book Tim’s Answer is about a 10-year-old boy called Tim who is disturbed to find an answer to a general grade question. Tim went through a journey of self-discovery only to realise that his role model is an African who lives in his neighbourhood, Tata Nelson Mandela.

“Be vigilant at all times because abduction and kidnapping are real. And set your goals and find a role model in your neighbourhood who will help you achieve your goal,” she said.

Stacey said was inspired to write Tim’s answer after struggling with herself to accept her African role models. “We Africans have been brainwashed by the media and games to believe that Africa does not have great role models. I say no to that. Tim’s role model is Tata Mandela.

“I want many other children to understand that they can find role models in their families, neighbourhoods, churches, schools, and many other places. They just have to know their values and what values can do for them.”

She said Nelson Mandela International Day is a day of giving, hence it shouldn’t be just for a one day only. “I had to do what I call 16 hours over two days, from Thursday 18 July to Friday 19 July at three different venues.”

She started at the King’s Creche in Houghton and then proceeded to library. The following day she gave her 67 minutes to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. “Thanks to all who celebrate with the underprivileged,” she said.

Stacey wrote her first book, Smelly Cats, at the age of seven without her parents’ knowledge. She founded The Stacey Fru Foundation at age nine. She is a BrandSA Ambassador and has published the following award-winning books: Smelly Cats (2015), Bob and the Snake (2016) and Smelly Cats on Vacation (2018).

Her books are currently on sale and a book launch has been scheduled for Tuesday 30 July at 5.30pm at Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund in Saxonwold.

Details: 011 440 7501.

Related article:

https://northeasterntribune.co.za/238537/ort-sa-celebrates-mandela-day-2/