Lorato Trok – författare

Dancer, choreographer and a legendary South African artist, Gregory Maqoma’s childhood was marked by a deep connection to movement, rhythm and the assorted sounds of Soweto. From a young age, he showed a natural passion for dance. He saw this in his neighbourhood, and he immersed himself in the language of music and dance. In his teen years, he played the drum in the school band, set up his own music and dance group, before winning a scholarship to Moving into Dance, despite his father‘s wishes that he become a doctor. Gregory’s upbringing in the 1980s, a politically charged era, sparked his awareness of social issues and a desire to use art as a means of activism. Amidst the challenges and inequalities of his environment, Maqoma found solace and inspiration in the transformative power of dance. Through sheer grit and dedication, his dancing gave him the means for self-expression, allowing him to channel his emotions, dreams, and aspirations. Along the way, he encountered mentors who supported his creative spark and fellow dancers who became lifelong friends. Maqoma’s childhood experiences laid the foundation for his future as a renowned choreographer and storyteller. They instilled in him a profound respect for his cultural heritage, a commitment to social justice, and an unwavering passion for the transformative potential of the arts. His journey from Soweto to the global stage is a testament to the resilience, creativity and indomitable spirit that shaped his formative years. My Life, My Dance, My Soul is an dazzling memoir that encourages young adults to embrace their passions, overcome obstacles, and believe in the strength of their dreams. It is a testament to the extraordinary heights that can be reached when one dances to the rhythm of their own soul.

Born in 1933 on Farm Klapien in Olifantshoek, Upington, Northern Cape Province, Katrina Esau has an extraordinary story. As the last fluent N|uu speaker, children must hear just how valuable and fragile languages can be. Golden Girl: The Story of Katrina Esau by Lorato Trok and Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Elizabeth Pulles, does precisely this in a richly textured children’s book, which embraces Ouma Katrina’s voice beautifully. On Farm Klapien, the family is forbidden from speaking Katrina’s language, N|uu. Despite this, Katrina speaks N|uu with her parents in secret. Katrina longs to go to school, but her parents know that the farmer’s strict rules and the apartheid laws would not allow this. Ouma Katrina and her family walk over 170 km to Upington, a small town in the Northern Cape, to make a new life. Here, the family is forced to speak Afrikaans and take on a coloured identity. Katrina’s N|uu language has almost been lost for many years. Then, Ouma Katrina, determined to save her language, decides to start a school in her home teaching young children how to speak N|uu. Golden Girl celebrates Ouma Katrina’s life as a leader and teacher. She is a respected Saa elder in the Khoe and San communities of South Africa. N|uu is an ancient San language from the Tuu family. This book is her legacy and our children’s heritage.This book was made possible with the support of Biblionef and funding from the National Heritage Council.