“Writing has always been a part of who I am. Growing up, I was surrounded by books, and I developed a passion for reading anything I could find, whether at home or school,” said Ms Rotenda Gavhi, one of the region’s young authors.

The 24-year-old author from Duvhuledza, outside Thohoyandou, is not only an author but also a creative artist, poet, designer, book producer, narrator, and an expert in book-cover design.

Her love of reading inspired her to dream of seeing her name on the cover of a book one day. That dream has already become a reality twice, with her name appearing on two book covers. As if that were not enough, the author, who pursued a degree in financial accounting and is currently furthering her studies in accounting sciences, published her third book, Grieving for You While You're Still Alive, a fortnight ago.

Gavhi’s breakthrough came in 2020 when she won the National Library of South Africa’s poetry competition, which granted her the opportunity to publish her first book. She has not looked back since.

Regarding the new book, Gavhi said it was inspired by the emotional pain she had observed in people who had experienced different types of loss. “This book seeks to bridge the gap in understanding unique kinds of grief. Through it, I aim to explore and heal the pain of broken relationships and lost connections. These collections delve deeper into the unique grief of loving someone who is still alive but is no longer part of your life. It takes readers on a journey through the heartbreak of disconnection, whether it's between a parent and child, siblings who have drifted apart, or friends who have become strangers,” she explained.

Gavhi added that the book was not just about mourning what was lost but also about finding strength, hope, and peace within yourself. “It's a reminder that even in the midst of the deepest grief, we can find peace and strength,” she said.

For more information about the book, Gavhi can be reached at 072-221-9708 or via email at [email protected].