Yumnah Jones's new book brings Cape Malay culture to life

Author Yumnah Jones, formerly from Tafelsig, has once again dipped her pen in ink with her latest novel, Malay Mosaic: The Echoes of Alastu.

Ms Jones’s author journey began in December 2024 and, in just 13 months, she has independently produced three books - Malay Mosaic: The Echoes of Alastu, the fable She Who Dreams, and Aisha’s Ears, a children’s book raising awareness about disability - which will feature at next weekend’s Cape Flats Book Festival in Mitchell’s Plain.

Writing independently under her company, Ubumuntu Publishers, Ms Jones focuses on bringing Cape Malay culture to life through her work.

Her latest novel explores the heritage, history, and culture of the Cape Malay community, seen through the lens of Islamic spirituality.

“I was reading Surah A'raf - ‘The Heights’ - in the Qur’an around the same time I had a dream of my forefather,” Ms Jones said.

“Over time, I connected the two, which inspired me to write about Cape Malay culture. Initially, I wasn’t sure how the story would expand, but my focus remained on the culture, heritage, and spirituality of our forefathers. It was only through discovery drafting, a process of writing exploration, that I realised I could write at this level,” she said.

The inspiration for Malay Mosaic also came from a specific verse in the Qur’an - Surah A’raf, verse 172 - where God asks: “Am I not your Lord?” and we respond, “Indeed, we testify.” This verse serves as the prologue to the book, linking faith and heritage.

She designed the book’s cover to reflect Cape Malay culture, choosing an image of Bo-Kaap, the historic Malay Quarters, while the back cover features South Africa’s first mosque, the Dorp Street Masjid, founded by the Cape Malay community.

In addition to her writing, Ms Jones recently established a non-profit, The Journeys Of Her Foundation, which grew out of her 2020 storytelling project, Journeys Of Her ("Woman’s fantasy novella teaches life lessons" Plainsman December 12).

The foundation, launched in 2024, is dedicated to empowering children through education across Africa. Ms Jones hopes to continue publishing children’s books and novellas, with plans to branch into novels in the future.

Her books are available directly through her via email at ubumuntupublisher@outlook.com or on Instagram @yumnahtheauthor. They are also expected to be available soon on platforms such as Takealot.

More information about her work and foundation can be found at www.journeysofher.org.

Find Plainsman on Instagram and TikTok @ccmonline.