Lerato Phakoe intends to splinter her family’s generational curse

Lerato Phakoe is a 19-year-old author, an educational activist, a philanthropist and a businesswoman.

She was born and bred in Hammanskraal, Pretoria and later relocated to Soshanguve.

Her passion for writing was unearthed at the age of 12. As young as she was, she used to write a lot about betrayal and overcoming the hardships of life. 

In 2020 while she was doing her Grade 11, she published her first book titled ‘The kindness paid with pain’. Her young adult fictional book is about two-faced friends, it highlights the challenges faced by young people in their daily lives.

The book teaches us that sometimes storms come into our lives to clear the path, not all of them are out to destroy us.

It was motivated by life’s lessons, the fact that different people enter our lives for different reasons; she reiterated that we dislike people who try to destroy us, but we forget that they are the ones who build and bring out the best in us.

Sharing her knowledge and experiences with as many people as possible was her ultimate goal.

In 2021 she published her second book Titled ‘For the sake of living’. its emphasis is that the mystery of human existence lies in finding a purpose to live for, not just remaining alive.

The book is a poetic composition, knowing yourself as a person and knowing what you stand for are essential aspects of the book.

Lerato continues to draw inspiration from other authors who have successfully made it in the industry.

“I draw my inspiration from authors who have made it in the industry, as well as one of the top ten young authors in Africa, Michelle Nkamankeng.

She is so talented and has positively impacted the writing industry for young people and this is what I want
to do for the youth,” said Lerato.

Although it was hard initially to market her book, but her hard work, dedication and perseverance has gained her an international recognition.

She’s an international award-winning author and two times Image awards 2022 nominee.

She also made it to two international radios and newspapers.

Kasi Voice News was curious to know how she balances her life, publishing two books while still studying and passing her Grade 12 with admission to bachelor’s degree is evident that she’s a hard worker, indeed her multitasking skills are
admirable.

“I used my academic performs as a key to achieving my goals. Every time I did well in school I would reward myself by doing a radio interview over the weekend as a strategy to market my books. I can proudly say that being a published author pushed me to being one of the best students, I was in the spotlight and I could not afford to present myself bad,” said the ambitious author.

The young philanthropist founded two companies, Lerato Phakoe Foundation and Vivified Blazon.

She told the people’s ultimate voice of community her foundation’s principle objective is to fight challenges facing schools.

She further added that she believes everyone has a right to basic education and that learners should not be deprived certain things because of their poor background.

She’s an advocate for equality and freedom in learning, therefore her foundation donates school uniforms, stationaries, and toiletries as a result thereof.

Vivified Blazon is a digital marketing agency which acts as a third party between clients, media houses and news reporters.

Their aim is to propagate positive communication regarding clients, they help promote different talents and to assist
clients reach their target audience and potential sponsors.

When asked what pushes her to work so hard at such a tender age Lerato said she felt it was her duty as her mother’s first offspring to set precedent and to change her family’s situation.

“I am the first child from my mother’s side. I am a sister of 4 and looking at my home situation I couldn’t wait any longer.

“My focus is on being financially independent because I have seen how unemployed and single mothers get treated by their husbands or baby daddies. I’m also using my background as a stepping stone to propel myself into the future. For me age is just a number.

I don’t want to waste my time waiting for the ‘so called right time’. The time is now and I am here to serve my
purpose and break the generational curses I found in my family,” she said.

Lerato stands by the phrase “If you can dream it, you can be it”.

Her message to young people is to dream and live their purpose. “To young people who do not have dreams and do not set goals, karma will push you into living a purposeless life and you will live to fulfil other people’s goals.

“Hence you must know your purpose because it is part of the process” said Lerato.

Her books can be purchased at Lifestyle books at Maponya Mall, each copy is R200 and she couriers nationwide.

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