12 Jun 2018

Having released her book titled Dive In in March this year, author Ashley Thaba says Batswana are responding well to her encouragement to read their Bibles. Speaking in an interview, Thaba says she is grateful for the support the book continues to enjoy as it is receiving acclaim from people who have read it and curiosity from those hoping to read it.

“I wrote this book in an effort to demystify the Bible as the average person seems intimidated by this awesome book and does not even know where to begin if they want to learn from the timeless principles outlined in the Holy Scripture,” she said. Thaba said when she launched the book at Exclusive Books it sold more than 30 copies in a day, further noting that since its release, churches all over Gaborone have been inviting her to come and share her message.

“I have also been invited on multiple television and radio shows as well as by various newspapers as people seek to ask me more questions on what it looks like practically to live out their faith in today’s modern busy world. People are actually beginning to ask for the book from various cities and villages around the country such as Kasane, Orapa, Francistown, Tutume and Palapye,” she said.

Thaba indicated that reading was important because it developed the mind.

“The mind is a muscle. It needs exercise. Understanding the written word is one way the mind grows in its ability.

Teaching young children to read helps them develop their language skills. It also helps them learn to listen. Everybody wants to talk, but few can really listen. Lack of listening skills can result in major misunderstandings which can lead to job loss, marriage breakup, and other disasters; small and great,” she said.

Thaba said she promoted reading because it was fundamental to developing a good self-image noting that non-readers or poor readers often had low opinions of themselves and their abilities.

“Many times they feel as if the world is against them. They feel isolated and behaviour problems can surface. They can perform poorly in other subjects because they cannot read and understand the material. 

Often non-readers tend to give up and I encourage people to read more and this Dive In book is just what I would recommend,” she said.

Thaba, an American has been married to a Motswana, Percy Thaba, for 14 years and moved to Botswana in 2000. She has worked with government schools in Francistown teaching the Bible and abstinence.

Her skills set is wide ranging and covers a lot of topics. She said she had successfully offered training to many people on issues such as marriage, parenting, finance, gardening, pre-natal, educational, health, communication and conflict resolution, spiritual guidance and biblical teaching She is also a motivational speaker specialising in offering practical advice to strengthen families.

 Apart from Dive In, she has written two other books, Conquering the Giants and Healthy and Eating Cookbook.

She is also a contributing author to three different Chicken Soup for the Soul books which have sold millions around the world and have also been widely published in various magazines and online publications. ENDS