Cape Town - When Grade 11 pupil Zaarah Antulay began putting pen to paper about what she had experienced in her young life, she never dreamed her compositions would eventually be published.
Today, Zaarah, 17, is the proud author of Monologues with Myself. The book is a compilation of poems and short stories.
By the time she was six, Zaarah’s grandfather had passed away and her mother had been diagnosed with cancer, so she had already experienced a number of life traumas that would determine her destiny.
Zaarah said her writing was free verse, and that she had been inspired by one of her teachers to pursue publishing her work.
“I’ve always loved poetry, but it was never my intention to write,” she said.
“The day I decided I wanted to go ahead with a book, my teacher, who is also a published author, introduced us to the publisher.
“My poems are a mixture – no poem will be the same as another one. They’re about romance, growth and dealing with your identity.”
Her mother, Wardah Antulay, explained that the impetus for her daughter’s writing had been traumatic events in her young life, such as death and illness, which she had overcome with her resilient spirit.
“Zaarah had a lot of mishaps in her life when I was diagnosed with cancer when she was three, and my father also had a huge impact on her life, as he contributed to the person she is today. He died in her arms when she was six.
“It was these moments in her life that shaped her and strengthened her writing.
“Her writing will inspire and touch many young people who go through struggles, because they will know they are not alone.”
Zaarah’s publisher, Haroldene Tshienda of Tshienda Publications, said the book was for everyone, and that Zaarah had a natural flair for writing.
“When I opened the manuscript, I was unable to put it down. The poems are short but gripping, and they inspired me on another level,” she said.
“It's a book not only for teenagers like Zaarah, but for everyone.
“I am certain this book will unlock the many stories of young people.
“Zaarah is a very good writer for her age, and I'm glad one of our authors, Quinton Leonard, her teacher, encouraged her to publish her book with us.
“I am grateful because this is what we stand for – helping and pushing each other to write and tell our own stories.
“We are the ‘Pen Warriors’ in Africa.
“Zaarah is also part of Poets Vannie Kaap. We have an open mic poetry circle every month, and on 20 August she recited from her book for the very first time.
“It was so satisfying and liberating to watch her. Two of her poems will be published in our new anthology, Lekka Poems.”
If you want to find out more about Monologues with Myself, contact the family at [email protected]. The book retails for R180.