28 November 2025
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Story Lunga Luthuli
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Photo Lunga Luthuli
Lusanda Madikane shares her children’s book uTobhini, promoting disability awareness and the preservation of isiXhosa.
By placing a young girl with a disability at the heart of her children’s book,
uTobhini, University of the Free State (UFS) master’s student and Research Assistant in the
Office for International Affairs,
Lusanda Madikane, is harnessing the power of storytelling to educate, inspire, and transform social understanding.
Madikane’s writing is rooted in the lived realities of South African society, shaped by the challenges experienced by marginalised communities. “I write stories based on social issues prevalent in society and across the country, with the goal of educating and informing,” she explains.
uTobhini draws inspiration from the widespread misunderstanding of children living with autism, as well as from twins in her community, one of whom lives with a physical disability. The book uses the child’s nickname to craft a narrative that encourages young readers to “embrace their differences, love one another as they are, and create space for children with disabilities in society and in schools.”
Confronting bullying and exclusion
For Madikane, placing a young girl with a disability at the centre of the story was essential in addressing the bullying and exclusion many children still face. “We seem not to pay much attention to educating ourselves about children living with disabilities… This book creates awareness about disabilities and confronts bullying towards children living with disabilities,” she says.
Through Tobhini’s experiences, Madikane hopes to inspire compassion, respect, and understanding among young readers, fostering what she envisions as “a society free of bullying.”
Reflecting rural realities
Set against the backdrop of Kwangcana, Mqanduli in the Eastern Cape, the narrative sheds light on the realities faced by many children in rural communities. It highlights the limited understanding of disabilities, the scarcity of awareness campaigns, and the shortage of adequate special-needs schooling. Tobhini’s journey reflects the lived experiences of many families across South Africa.
A milestone achievement and a voice for youth
Being selected from thousands of manuscripts for publication was a defining moment for Madikane. A passionate advocate for youth empowerment, she says the recognition underscores the importance of young voices in South Africa’s storytelling landscape.
Quoting Chinua Achebe, she adds, “If you don’t like my story, write your own. This is exactly what we are doing - creating new stories and shaping our own futures.”
Celebrating indigenous languages and decolonial advocacy
Madikane’s recent receipt of the Content Development Award from the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and ANFASA further affirmed her commitment to writing in isiXhosa. For her, the award signals that her “advocacy for language preservation is heard” and positions isiXhosa as a vital component of the decolonial project.
Inclusion at the centre of academic inquiry
Her academic work at UFS also shapes her perspective. With research focused on inclusion through the lens of migration, she has learned to “embrace all nationalities and races in their uniqueness and to create spaces where diversity is celebrated.” This approach to understanding inclusion is intricately woven into the narrative of uTobhini.
Empowering children and communities
Looking ahead, Madikane hopes uTobhini will resonate not only with children, but also with parents, educators, and entire communities. She believes the story can contribute to a more informed and compassionate society that empowers children living with disabilities to navigate the world with hope and confidence.
To aspiring writers - particularly those writing in indigenous languages - her message is clear: never underestimate the power of your mother tongue. While financial rewards may not always follow, she emphasises that the true value lies in preserving language and culture for generations to come.