04 Sep 2024

Tumelo Tsele did not despair when faced with unforeseen challenges after losing her mother at a tender age. 

Rather she stood firm, fought and triumphed and this inspired her to pen down a book titled, UNTOLD.  

The recently published 181-paged book by Afroshapers Publishing and Printing House, narrates and reflects some of Tsele’s untold stories, secrets and personal experience she went through as well as how she overcame adversities.

“I lost my mother at an early age. Although I was left in the care of my loving aunts and uncles, I could feel the void left by my mother. This was a struggle on its own but I never dwelled on that dark moment. Rather I worked hard towards the realisation of my dreams,” she said. 

The UNTOLD book is therefore a testament to the power of resilience and a reminder that there is always a light at the end of every gloom and it encourages young girls particularly those vulnerable, underprivileged and from disadvantaged background to take action and make a difference regardless of obstacles they faced. 

Through the book, Tsele also emphasised the value of education, stating that it allowed one to make informed decisions, escape the cycle of poverty and take advantage of better chances. 

“Despite the hurdles, I believed in myself and one of the highlights of my journey was an invitation from New York to participate in one of the five-year campaign. I sat and conversed with some of the world’s elite women, including former First Lady Michelle Obama and Melinda Gates. I also became the leader of the 2019 Obama Leadership Programme,” she said.

The book also calls for the involvement of various stakeholders in the fight for the girls’ rights and equity. 

It also calls for support of marginalised girls in pursuit of their educational goals, realise their potential and play better roles in community building. 

The UNTOLD is also a celebration of Tsele’s achievements as a co-founder of Botswana Organisation for Sisters Empowering Junior Associates, (BOSEJA Girls), a non-profit making organisation set to support girls and young women to reach their potential. 

BOSEJA Girls runs an after school programme for adolescents girls, offers them life skills, education and structured mentors as well as teaches them about sexual reproductive health rights and digital inclusion for the vulnerable, the poor and marginalised girls and young women. 

Speaking during the panel discussion at the launch, the traditional leader at Artesia, Kgosi George Thwane praised Tsele’s efforts. 

He said the UNTOLD book was much needed to inspire some of the marginalised girls who had given up on their dreams, while others fall victims to sexual abuse. 

He said the book would shed light on some of the challenges and issues helping young females make more informed decisions about activities they engage in. Ends