Johannesburg’s own Tlotlo Tsheka has turned her favourite playtime moments into two incredible books that prove you’re never too small to tell a big story!
Johannesburg, South Africa (03 March 2026) – At just six years old, Tlotlo Tsheka has become the author and illustrator of two of her very own children’s books.
Hailing from Johannesburg, where she lives with her mother and sister, Tlotlo turned her love for reading and playtime into something truly special: “I Remember When…” and “Mommy’s Secret”. Two captivating stories inspired by her everyday experiences.
“I like telling stories about things I see and things I remember. I have lots and lots of them in my brain. One day I told my mommy I wanted my own book, and she helped make it,” Tlotlo tells Good Things Guy.
The young writer shares that the first story is about herself and her mother.
“It’s about me helping mommy when she was sick, and when Obone pushes me at play time.”
The second is about Tlotlo finding out her mother’s secret and promising she wouldn’t tell anyone.
“But I did,” she shares with a little giggle.
The SPARK Witpoortjie pupil is a true creative, finding joy in activities like drawing, telling stories, asking lots of questions and occasionally, helping her mother, Thatohatsi Tsheka, who is a Publishing Director.
What began as bedtime storytelling has become a printed book, now preparing for its official launch.
Tlotlo’s journey is being supported through a youth entrepreneurship initiative that encourages children to see their ideas as valuable from an early age, especially in township communities where opportunity is often limited.
At six years old, most of us were still struggling to colour inside the lines, yet Tlotlo is already building a bibliography! Asked what she hopes young readers will take away from her book, Tlotlo shares:
“I hope other kids feel happy when they read my books and also want to write their own stories one day.
Sources: Tlotlo Tsheka
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