Young writer inspired at Cape Flats Book Festival
Eleven-year-old Qaathirah Van Schalkwyk met authors, explored books, and gained inspiration to pursue her dream of becoming a published writer at the Cape Flats Book Festival.
Image: Supplied
A young New Woodlands girl said the Cape Flats Book Festival has left her feeling inspired.
Qaathirah Van Schalkwyk, 11, who attends Imperial Primary School and dreams of becoming a writer one day, said visiting the festival has unlocked even more of her potential.
She attended the event at West End Primary School over the weekend, where she met authors and explored the books on display.
“My favourite part was meeting the authors and being able to buy their books,” she said.
Qaathirah has been writing her own stories and hopes to one day see them published. Pictured is Qaathirah reading at the festival.
Image: Supplied
Qaathirah has been writing her own stories and hopes to one day see them published.
“I finally found companies that could publish my existing books. At the book festival, I met people who love reading and writing books like me. I would like to thank my mommy for exposing me to this and giving me the opportunity to attend,” she said.
Her mother, Zuhairaa Van Schalkwyk, a teacher at Imperial Primary School, is an ex-top achiever and head girl, class of 2007.
Qaathirah has already shown promise: She won the intermediate phase category in the Western Cape Education Department’s 2024 School Library Competition during South African Library Week. The competition, supported by the department’s Education Library and Information Services (EDULIS) to celebrate International School Library Month, encouraged pupils to write short stories or create drawings or posters, depending on their grade.
“It meant a lot to me to win because thousands of pupils entered the competition, but they chose my story out of all of them. I felt special and proud of myself,” Qaathirah said.
Her mom said her daughter has reached many accolades in school for her reading and has achieved academic success.
"As a parent, I am incredibly proud of my daughter’s achievements. She has always been witty, intelligent, and wonderfully unique. From as young as two, she has shown a deep curiosity, constantly asking “why” and striving to understand the world around her," she said.
"She keeps me on my toes every day, and it has been a joy to watch her grow into the remarkable young person she is becoming," said Ms Van Schalkwyk.
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