Giving children a seat at the table, listening to them and acknowledging their feelings is what former Miss SA turned author Shudufhadzo Musida aims to achieve with her literature. 

The beauty queen recently released her second children’s book titled ‘I am Shudu, Finding My Voice, Knowing My Power’ that still draws inspiration from her childhood. With themes such as bullying, mental health, – these are conversations that Shudu says she wished someone would have had with her while growing up, “because when you think of bullying, you don’t really think about the long term effects it will have on you.”

Tackling these precarious topics through literature, for her, is a perfect conversation starter between parents and children.

“Children’s book was very close to my heart because it spoke to my inner child. There are a lot of conversations that I wish I’d had while growing up and as someone who took refuge in reading – it was really important for me to write these books because of how it rescued me,” she said. 

And while her first book targeted children between ages 4 to 8-year-old, ‘I am Shudu, Finding My Voice, Knowing My Power’ targets 6 to 10-year-olds to help them build confidence and independent reading while transitioning from picture books to chapter books.  

And while statistics showed that eight out of 10 South African children between ages 9 and 10 year olds struggle to read, stats revealed in the Progress in International Reading Literacy study – encouraging reading among children from a young age is pertinent. Coupled with that need, dealing with mental health issues from a young age is also a need. Shudu couples both these elements in one offering.

Her first book, she shares, was a huge success selling more than 20 000 copies, donating equally as much and was listed as one of the best-selling children’s books in Mzansi.

“The impact that it made supersedes the numbers because it is starting conversations with children. That made me realise that we need more of these conversations. I did a reading with 

“Parents need to start speaking with our children especially regarding social issues, give them a seat at the table and hear from them what they think about issues that affect them. And then we wonder why kids don’t use their voices in matters at school or the playground. That’s because we haven’t cultivated such healthy cultures, how they feel and how they respond, especially between adults and kids,” she said.

This second book closes off the stories based on herself and she hopes her next books will explore other topics. 

“My next book will probably be about a more broader, bolder story that will not only involve my story but also explores what happens after you find your magic. What happens when you finally have a seat at the table? Are you ready to occupy that seat?

“So there are so many other conversations that need to be had as steps in growth. This isn’t a book series per se but I knew this book was going to happen mainly because they are both based on my story.” 

And while Shudu shares that she isn’t out to be a role model more than to achieve actual change within society, the beauty has successfully established herself as a mental health advocate/activist both locally and internationally. 

“More than anything, I hope these books really start crucial conversations, I hope children feel validated and are encouraged to speak up and that this has a 360 degree effect on both parents and the children for a healthier society,” she said. 

The book is also available in different South African languages including Afrikaans, isiZulu, TshiVenda and Sesotho. Shudu will be traveling to stores around the country to meet children and sign their books.