The award-winning 12-year-old Johannesburg author is looking forward to having two more of her books published in 2019.
Johannesburg, South Africa – A 12-year-old multiple award-winning author has added an international honour to her accolades after receiving an award from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Stacey Fru was the youngest among 14 participants from Asia and Africa to be honoured at the 2019 World Youth Forum’s Arab and African Youth Platform in Aswan, Egypt earlier this year.
The World Youth Forum was first held in November 2017 where it engaged youth globally in an enriching set-up, allowing them to exchange views and recommend initiatives to decision-makers and influential figures. Since then, it has become a chance for youth to engage with top policymakers, network with promising youth from the region and the world that are determined to make our world a better place for everyone. The World Youth Forum is attended by a wide range of participants, including and not limited to heads of states and government, young international leaders, inspiring youth in various fields, prominent international figures and youth groups from around the world.
“I feel special. It’s really an honour to be here and to be given this award by the president himself, which made me feel important. People here have been welcoming and nice to me. This will forever be one of my journey and career highlights.
This has inspired me to want to do more and help people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, through my foundation. To all teenagers and children, if I could achieve what I have so far, so can you. Don’t ever doubt yourself and what you can offer the world,” Stacey said.
But Stacey’s success isn’t due only to having three of her books published by the age of eleven; she was also Africa’s youngest published author at age seven!
Stacey is a fun-loving and bubbly young South African born on the 16th of February 2007 in Johannesburg. She is the second of four children and also the youngest author in Africa, if not the world, who wrote her first book; ‘Smelly Cats’ without her parents’ knowledge at the age of 7.
“This book was approved by the South African Department of Basic Education as suitable for young learners from Early Childhood through to Primary Schools.
Stacey is the youngest multiple award winning writer of Chapter books on the continent, if not in the world. ‘Smelly Cats’ was published when she was 8 and she won 3 awards for the book and her other works before her second book ‘Bob and the Snake’ was published.”
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And now she will be adding two more books – Where is Tammy and Tim’s Answer – to her bookshelf.
“The next book is titled Where is Tammy and it’s about the whole aspect of the kidnapping of children in South Africa. The book is to raise awareness for parents and children who are in the situation,” Fru explained.
She added that Tim’s Answer was a book based on finding a role model in life.
Stacey’s ambitions for the growth of the African child is extensive. She is a philanthropist and the youngest Ambassador for Save the Children. Stacey is focused on teaching children because she is very disappointed that many children cannot read and write by age 9.
She has dedicated her life to teach, motivate and encourage others through public talks, writings, and her television projects. Stacey constantly donates items like books, computers, clothing and food through The Stacey Fru Foundation to children and adults of South Africa. Her footprint is seen across provinces in the country into rural areas where she has been privileged to appreciate how lucky she is through giving.
Her major concern for children is evident in her writings and her talks themed; Illiteracy, Poverty/Inequality, Religion, Safety and Security, Respect, Love, Family and Friendship, etc.
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