By Neo Kolane
A new book titled Keratiloe is expected to be launched soon, but on a date yet to be confirmed.
The book, written by Rethabile Ntereke, is a compilation of children’s stories depicting the life and family of a Mosotho toddler named Keratiloe.
The book is a fully Lesotho product. The graphics illustrated in the book are designed by Motebang Motebang.
Although it was printed by Morija Printing Works, it is published by Lesotho’s Lipsticks and Scars Publishing.
The real theme of the book is a reflection that young Basotho kids see themselves in the books that are read to them, hear the names that are familiar to them and see the faces that look like their own. It is written in Sesotho so as to offer more understanding to the readers.
Its author Ntereke said the work is a celebration of the life of children and families.
“The book instills in children a sense that they grow positively in a family as it shows images of being a Mosotho within the Sesotho cultural settings, a thing that differentiate it from other writings that are predominantly reflective of other cultures,” explained Ntereke.
He remarked that his product is also meant to build a sense of self-esteem and belonging to the Basotho nation.
Ntereke further indicated that the lives of other nationalities are mostly reflected in their own books, television and magazines.
Ntereke told theReporter that the target market is children but it is also their parents, children’s custodians and guardians.
She revealed that young age require their guardians to invest in buying books from which they can easily learn as they grow up.
The avid reader said that the character is actually named after her daughter who bears the name as a middle name. She said that even before her daughter was born, she was already buying her books and reading to her.
She describes the character as a sweet, funny, animal loving and determined child who will explore the world around her and introduce what life is like for ‘bana ba Basotho’ (Basotho chidren).
Ntereke also stated that Keratiloe is a publication that every child can identify with when reading it.
“I finished the initial script in December 2018, and was having a close friend of mine, Siziwe Mpopo to proof it and then the hunt for a graphic designer started.
“I started working with Motebang in 2019, and this is where most of the time was spend in ensuring that the characters matched with the pictures.
“Since I have a full time job and other pursuits, it was a very long journey. I got the first quotation for printing in September 2019 and that actually surprised me,” she stated.
The final script of her work was submitted to the printers in December 2020
Founder of Lipsticks and Scars Rethabile Thakane Shale told the tabloid that she wished the book could have come during her childhood age, saying it is a story book that meaningfully reflects the life of a Mosotho child.
“I am quite interested in literature and wish my child to identify with the book. It is a good representation of the life of a Mosotho child,” Thakane-Shale commented.
