I was born and raised in Soweto, in a location called Moroka North, ha MmaMosa le Mokhele ka hodima anfolopo. I was raised by my grandparents who are both from Lesotho and as the first grandchild - I was tasked with a responsibility to read and reply to letters from the relatives in Lesotho and South Africa addressed to my grandparents. This is where my journey started as a writer and passion for the passion for Sesotho language was born. throughout primary and high school, I was always the top learner in my class when it came to vernacular. My Sesotho Teachers also served as influence - they would ask me to read in front of the class, and encouraged me to write and read widely.

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I never wanted to be an author or planned to be one. But people like Siza Nkosi, Abdu Milazi and Moeletsi Mokhele and MANY others motivated me to write particularly in Sesotho because they could spot the talent even though I was not aware of it. I then paid attention to my writing skills, what i needed to say, how to say it. But more importantly I had to do my own research about Sesotho writers so that I can clarify to myself where are the gaps in terms of Sesotho literature and how I should take advantage of opportunities that other writers are not exploiting.

Unlike other writers, I do not have a particular writing process. I write when I have something to say or when a poem or a story in me wants to pop out and refuse to go on mute. I dont have a writing routine or time or place, I just write, when it is necessary for me to write.

My first story was about youth playing a part in their own development. I was in Norway at that time, travelling in a train to another town outside the city to hold a workshop for asylum seekers about safety when they are in a land not of their own. Suddenly i had a brainwave, I took out my note book and pen and then started writing. When I arrived at the Asylum Center - I waited to be given a room so that I can be alone with my article and finished. I typed it neatly and sent it to my colleagues in South Africa for publishing.

Writing in my own language liberates me. I tried writing poetry in English and I felt captured - I could not move or express myself selflessly the way I do when I write in Sesotho. Writing gives me a voice, a story to tell, a sense of purpose and inspires me to tell more stories in my own language thus promote the use of local languages and challenge the stereotype that people can only write in English or Afrikaans.

My first Sesotho story I ever read was Ntwa ya Ditweba - I read this story when I was in grade 2 or 3 and it is still stuck with me. The characters, the similarities between people and animals when it comes to the fighting for positions and recognition stood out for me. I am still reading this story and cant get used to it.

To be honest I have too many books I love and to bring that number to 5 seems an impossible task.

Car magazines, articles on agriculture, landscaping, social movements, i dont like to limit myself when it comes to reading - I let books capture me and if the book fails to capture I look for another that will not let me put it down.

Thomas Mofolo, K.E. Ntsane, KPD Maphalla, ntate Eskia Mphahlele, Oswald Mtshali, HIE Dlomo, Lesego Rampolokeng, Wally Serote, Don Matterra, Pablo Neruda, Sonia Sanchez, Jane Kortez, Chinua Achebe, Thabiso Mofokeng, Amos Tatuola, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Ama Ata Aidoo, Buchi Emecheta, Maaza Mengiste, the list is endless KA NNETE.

My readers mean the world to me. I respect them, I love them for taking time from their busy schedules to read my work. I am because of them. I value their opinions and critique nd insights. Ke tjena ka baka la bona.