Blog Archives
“who would use a place like this, and why?”
The Mystery of Kgwakgwe Hills follows a group of curious children as they accidentally uncover a criminal operation involving drugs, stolen property, and secret codes. Where did the idea behind this mystery come from?
It started with place. Kgwakgwe Hills are beautiful, historic, and a little bit mysterious after dark.
I asked: what if 4 kids went there to explore and stumbled onto something adults were trying to keep hidden? The drugs, the stolen property, the codes — that all came from asking “who would use a place like this, and why?”
I wanted to write a story where being curious isn’t dangerous, it’s powerful. Sly, Nathan, Jane and Musa prove that kids can be brave, smart, and still go home for dinner.
Did you draw on any real local history or legends surrounding Kgwakgwe Hills or the old manganese mine while developing the story?
Yes. The hills and the old manganese mine in Kanye are real, and they carry stories.
I talked to people about the mine’s history, the workers, and the legends of lights and sounds in the hills at night. I used that atmosphere as the backdrop.
The criminal operation in the book is fictional, but the setting is rooted in truth. If readers finish the book and want to visit Kgwakgwe with their family and learn the real history, that’s exactly what I hoped for.
Your story addresses issues such as cable theft, drug trafficking, addiction, and environmental responsibility. What inspired you to weave these real-world concerns into a children’s adventure?
Because these are real issues in real communities, and kids see them.
I didn’t want to write a textbook. I wanted to write an adventure where the kids face hard choices.
Cable theft hurts schools and clinics. Drugs hurt families. And the hills deserve to be protected, not used and dumped in.
Through Sly, Nathan, Jane and Musa, I could show how to respond: observe, document, don’t confront alone, and tell a trusted adult. Thrills first, message second. If kids are entertained AND thinking, we’ve done something good.
Can you give us a glimpse inside Book 2 of The Jackson’s Children Mystery Series? Where will it take readers?
Book 2 is The Mystery of the Roaring Lion. It takes Sly, Nathan, Jane and Musa into the hills and the wild.
Sly, Nathan, Jane and Musa go out to while time away and have encounter with the Pharing Gorge, Kanye Mmakgodumo dam, Kgwakgwe Hills and Matsieng footprint in Kanye.
They hear a “roaring lion” at night and mid day… but there are no lions in that enclosure.
Then, equipment goes missing. Cultural artifacts disappear. And a ranger starts acting suspicious.
Sly, Nathan, Jane and Musa have to figure out: Is it poachers? Is it a smuggling ring? And why does the “roar” only happen after mid-day and at night?
Expect animal tracks as clues, night missions, and Musa sense of humor and acting as a guide. Expect Sly to get stuck in the gorge. And expect the biggest twist: the “lion” isn’t what anyone thinks it is.
It’s adventure, nature, and a mystery that teaches kids to protect wildlife and tourists’ sites.
They discover the mysteries of the haunted bungalow, cult, caves, arm robbery and drug cartel.
Belt up and enjoy the whirlwind of the mystery of Kgwakgwe Hills.
Stormy Sailing
Stormy Sailing tells the story of Liban, a young boy on an endless journey with his refugee family, searching for a place to call home. From the first pages, you can feel the exhaustion of his parents and the weight on his little shoulders. The story follows Liban and his father as they are separated from their family, forced to build a makeshift boat, and sail into the unknown, hoping for a reunion on the other shore. The ending, though bittersweet, leaves you with a sense of relief.
What I loved most about this picture book is how real it felt. Liban isn’t some larger-than-life hero, he’s just a kid trying to be brave. The moment when he begs his parents not to leave his old uncle behind? That one really got me. It’s heartbreaking because you know he’s right, but there’s no good choice. And then there’s his dad, always trying to stay strong, even when you can tell he’s just as scared. The scene where he promises Liban, “Tomorrow everything will be better,” even though they both know that’s not true, was so raw and honest.
The writing is simple but powerful. It doesn’t waste words, which makes every moment hit harder. Watching Liban and his dad gather scraps and somehow turn them into something that could carry them across the sea was oddly hopeful. It was messy and desperate, but it was also kind of beautiful. And when Liban says, “No one else has anything like this!” you can feel the pride in his voice, even though you know how fragile that little boat really is.
Then came the storm. That scene was terrifying. And when Liban’s dad tells him, “As long as I stay afloat, don’t let go!” I actually teared up. The stakes were so real. It’s not a story where you know everything will be okay. This is survival.
Stormy Sailing is for anyone who wants a story that makes them feel something. It’s not just a children’s book, it’s a book for anyone who’s ever felt lost, scared, or hopeful. It would be a great read for older kids who can handle serious topics, and for adults who want a deeper, emotional story in a simple, beautiful package.
Pages: 42 | ISBN : 9528202071
