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She was bored and frustrated when the country went into lockdown earlier this year. Like many learners across the country, Lindokuhle Mukwa was being home-schooled in Pretoria when her English teacher sent her an assignment.
The task was to write a persuasive letter, which she took as an opportunity to try to convince her dad to take the family on a holiday to enjoy the great outdoors.
Even though he was impressed with the nine-year-old’s writing, Lindokuhle’s father, Thembinkosi, simply couldn’t afford to do fulfil his daughter’s wish.
But the proud parent shared the letter on social media
– and now the family have won a holiday to Cape Town.
still can’t believe their luck.
“She’d been asking to go on holiday for some time and because of this Covid situation it’s not the best time for traveling,” he tells YOU. “Money-wise you must also think about using the money for a holiday or using it for other things.
I was served with papers by my 9 yr old. I need legal counsel to help draft a response #schoolsreopening #level1 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/ZLKv89Q4ek
— Thembinkosi Mukwa (@thembimoyo) September 8, 2020
He didn’t imagine sharing Lindokuhle’s letter would
end up with a Good Samaritan reaching out to him.
“I took it to Twitter and my WhatsApp status because the way it was written just blew me away. I didn’t think it would pick up like that.”
When she was 8 yes old Lindokuhle drew this contract it was a sign of complex parenting ahead! ???????? Malume @SibandaSibbs We have a lawyer in the making! pic.twitter.com/oSqbewCBgP
— Thembinkosi Mukwa (@thembimoyo) September 10, 2020
Louise and her family own a cottage near the sea in
Stilbaai, a few hours’ drive away from the Mother City. The mom of two was so
moved by Lindokuhle’s letter she offered them the cottage for a week.
“I think adults have a responsibility to help children know that their words and dreams have power,” Louise says. “That little nine-year-old is going to go places. The world is her oyster and I want to be a part of making her dream come true.”
The Grade 4 learner has always loved reading – just like traveling, it opens the world to her, she says.
She knows how to create the future she is committed to.
— Louise van Rhyn (@louisevanrhyn) September 10, 2020
What have you decided to do? https://t.co/aHsZJH3c3y
Now she’s writing a children’s book. Titled Sofia’s
Life, the story centres on a family from Bloomington, Indiana in the US, who
move to Africa.
Lindokuhle tells us the book, which she started writing when South Africa went into lockdown in March, was inspired by her love of traveling.
“At the moment there are 18 chapters. I’m doing a lot of editing and I’m adding chapters as we go. I’ve always loved reading and writing and apparently I’m a good storyteller,” she says.
She’s yet to receive the marks for her persuasive letter assignment, but based on the response on social media, Lindokuhle is confident she’ll ace it. “My English teacher says my creative writing is never boring. She told me she couldn’t wait to see my letter. I’ll probably get a good mark.”
