Writing stories relevant to different people is vital
BANDILE Sikwane is a communications manager for the CSIR who writes children’s books and has started his own publishing company, Ginger Goat publishing.
Bandile is deeply aware of the need to encourage tolerance and acceptance of difference as an antidote to racism and he encourages bilingualism by writing his stories in English and Setswana.
Heather Robertson interviewed him for Nal’ibali.
What is Ginger Goat publishing and why did you set it up?
Ginger Goat (Pty) Ltd is a producer, distributor, retailer, publisher and aggregator of children’s and young adult content through its www.gingergoat.com website.
I started the company in 2012 to address the need for accessible multicultural children’s and young adult content. I wanted to come out with an innovative offering that would be disruptive to the current publishing industry.
When did you write your first book and what was it about?
I wrote Kgabo Learns to Use the Magic Words late in 2011. It is a book about friendship and community – it’s a values-based story. Kgabo learns that there are rules we all have to abide by. The book introduces a magical world, where the inhabitants speak Setswana.
Are there any particular children you had in mind when you wrote the Malume/Malome series?
I had no particular children in mind; I just wanted to write something whimsical and engaging about these eccentric characters who live “a few kilometres East-northwest past Doodle station, in a land that is precisely nowhere in particular”.
What inspired you to write the Malume/Malome series?
The series is my multicultural take on the Mr Men series by Roger Hargreaves.
Why did you decide to write the series in multiple languages?
The only way for us to have a vibrant reading culture in South Africa is if content is relevant and inclusive and multicultural.
People love stories that include them. It follows then that some of these stories must be written in other languages.
Brian Ncube’s illustrations are beautifully whimsical – like your stories – how did the two of you get to work together?
Brian is a very talented illustrator and multimedia designer. We worked together on the first two titles. But illustrators bring their own magic touch.
Boomba and Poyoyo are completely different characters in Bestest Friends Ever – how did this story pop into your head?
Boomba and Poyoyo came about after a turbulent January in 2016 when race dynamics in South Africa was particularly challenging after unfortunate commentary on social media and such.
I wanted to write a story that reinforces friendship and tolerance despite our differences.
What were your favourite books and authors when you were a child?
J K Rowling changed my life. Her Harry Potter series was a turning point for me.
I also loved The Chr ysalids by John Wyndham; it’s a really old book. It got me really enjoying dystopian SciFi. I loved Enders Game by Orson Scott Card.
Douglas Hill is one of my favourite authors. I loved his space action books growing up.
How do you juggle your work as a communications specialist for the CSIR and your children’s story writing?
It’s rather difficult doing everything at once.
I write as and when inspiration hits, I guess. It helps being an insomniac.
Are there any new books in the pipeline?
Yes. Ginger Goat will be publishing a title by a new author. The book is called The Rushing Dark by Patricia Lain-Pieterse.
I am working on the next Kgabo story. I have completed two Malumes and a standalone story, all hopefully out for the festive season.
Reading and telling stories with children in their home languages provides them with a strong foundation for language learning and increases their chances of future academic success. For more information about the Nal’ibali campaign, or to access children’s stories in a range of SA languages, visit: www.nalibali.org.