Written by  Mpho Rantao

 

First Seen on IOL

 

 

Amonge Sinxoto, the trailblazing social entrepreneur, activist, and founder of Blackboard Africa, continues to break new ground with her groundbreaking children’s book, “My BIG Name,” which launched in August last year. Based on her little sister’s experience with people struggling to pronounce her name.

Taking it a step further, Amonge is bringing her heartwarming story to life through a 2D TV animated series adaptation called MY BIG WORLD. The project won the Road to Annecy competition at the Cape Town International Animation Festival. Sponsored by the National Film and Video Foundation, the project is in development and travelling to The Annecy Animation Festival to secure investors and partners.

 

 

 

 

 

In the awe-inspiring fictional book titled ‘My BIG name’, Isenguye is the main protagonist. The book describes her journey to understanding the beauty, meaning, and power of her first name. The book was written by 21-year-old entrepreneur and activist Amonge Sinxoto, with illustrator Lebogang Sekwelenkwe providing the artwork.

 

The story tells of how Isenguye learns of her superpowers, accessible through her name because it gives her (and her school friends) a sense of self, power, and pride against the main antagonist in the tale. Sinxoto said that ‘My BIG name’ would feel relatable to Africans who have had their names and surnames mispronounced in their own experiences.

 

“When I was thinking about writing a children’s book, the topic just made sense. Especially on the issues that the book discusses, around the power that lies within your name and consequently your African identity,” Sinxoto said.

 

In writing the book, she mainly focused on primary school children (aged 7-11) who grow up to understand the meaning of their names while attending school. Sinxoto said that the book was a unique project for her to complete because of how Isenguye’s story mirrored the experience of Sinxoto’s younger sister — who the main character is named after.

 

 

“My BIG name talks of an experience from the perspective of an African child. It has teachings for all children – to believe in themselves, and their superpowers,” she said.

 

“The story is a culmination of my experiences, and my sister’s experiences and I feel it is a larger part of many South Africans’ stories.

 

“We focused on something simple like a name because your name is a very fundamental part of your identity, and for it to be changed or altered to accommodate someone else is a micro example.”

 

Amonge’s show was developed and produced by The Ntintili Factory which has 20 years of producing award-winning television and film, headed by Busisiwe Ntintili. Amanda Zungu is an esteemed director-producer with the award-winning animation short Shaka Inkosi YamaKhosi under her belt. As well as the incredible creative director and creator of the series, Nompumelelo Sinxoto. The all-black, female-led animation team will showcase their project at the esteemed Annecy Festival. Renowned as the largest global event dedicated to animation, the festival annually gathers esteemed professionals from around the world in Annecy, France, the animation capital, every June for its international film festival. My Big World will be among the distinguished delegates from June 11th to June 17th.

 

 

The author explained that she aimed to promote the book and literacy in primary schools through her Non-profit Corporation Blackboard Africa, to promote confidence in one’s identity and open the discussion around the micro-aggression by people imposing alternative names on African children.

 

Sinxoto’s first children’s book follows the rise in children’s stories published by high-profile figures in the country to promote children’s literacy. Singer Lady Zamar (Amara Goes to the Olympics), and award-winning poet Lebohang Masango (Mpumi’s Magic Beads, Mpumi and Jabu’s Magical Day!, What Does Mpumi Eat, What Does Mpumi Wear).