Stephanie Shaumbwako, a 13-year-old author, launched her second book on Monday titled ‘Meekulu Passion’.

The fictional book details the life of a grandmother who takes in her grandson after his parents got arrested by the police.

The book takes the reader into the boy’s daily battles with trauma, abandonment and adjustment to a new life with his grandmother.

Shaumbwako describes her latest publication as a heartfelt story about resilience, family, and healing. Even though the characters go through a lot, the book ends on a hopeful note. 

She said writing the story was a unique experience because it allowed her to explore themes of love and support in the face of adversity, and she wanted readers to feel a sense of hope by the end.

“It took me a few months to finish my first book, ‘From the Top to the Bottom to the Top’. My second book, Meekulu Passion, took me a bit longer, mostly because of the editing process and balancing my exams. Since this book was published towards the end of 2024, it required a lot of focus and time management. Writing and editing each book presented its challenges, but they have both been incredibly rewarding experiences. I have learned a lot along the way, and seeing the finished books makes all the hard work feel worthwhile,” she said.

In 2023, Shaumbwako launched her first book ‘From the Top to the Bottom to the Top’. 

This emotional story follows a young girl grappling with the unfair burden of blame placed on her by her mother after her father’s death.

Shaumbwako, a budding writer with a passion for storytelling, began her literary journey by crafting personal stories that nurtured her creativity and honed her skills. 

These early works, while unpublished, served as crucial stepping stones, fostering confidence and preparing her for the journey ahead.

‘From the Top to the Bottom to the Top’ explores profound themes of guilt, resilience and forgiveness, offering a glimpse into the emotional turmoil faced by the protagonist as she navigates her mother’s unwavering blame. 

Through this deeply personal narrative, she aims to illustrate the enduring impact of difficult circumstances, while emphasising the power of strength and hope in overcoming adversity.

“I started writing at a really young age, and I remember asking my parents for help with spelling as I began to put my ideas on paper. I started school at an early age, which exposed me to the world of creative writing. I found inspiration in the way other people’s words could bring the world to life, and that sparked my passion for storytelling. From that point on, writing became a way for me to express myself and explore different perspectives,” she said.

Juggling school and writing can be tricky, but she tries to stay organised by setting aside time for both. She makes sure to prioritise her schoolwork and complete assignments first, then any free time she must write. Sometimes she writes in small chunks whenever she can, especially during weekends or after school.

It’s all about time management and finding a balance, she said.

“I’m excited to see how these activities will shape my creativity, and help me grow both physically and mentally.” 

Her father, Steve Shaumbwako, said they are incredibly proud of Stephanie and her achievements as a young author. 

“Her books reflect her passion, creativity and hard work. It is amazing to see her turn her ideas into something others can enjoy and learn from. We have always encouraged Stephanie to follow her passion for writing. We provide her with the time and space she needs to work on her projects, and we are there to support her through the writing and editing processes. We also help her stay organised with schoolwork so she can balance both,” he said.  

He said in the next five years, they see their daughter growing as a writer, honing her skills, and expanding her storytelling abilities. They also envision her exploring different genres and experimenting with new writing styles.

She has a strong passion for creating meaningful stories, and they believe she will have published multiple books by then. 

They also foresee her becoming more involved in the writing community, perhaps collaborating with other young writers or participating in writing workshops. 

“We are excited to watch her continue to develop both personally and professionally, and we believe she will inspire many others along the way,” he shared.

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na