Lebohang Masango, a multifaceted author, anthropologist, and poet, illuminates the South African literary landscape with her compelling work aimed at children and academic circles alike.
Born in Solna, Sweden, and raised in Pretoria, Masango’s formative years were spent enveloped in the vibrant culture of Johannesburg, a city that she now lovingly considers her scholarly home.
Masango’s journey into the literary world began in her teenage years when aspirations of becoming a contemporary dancer led her to the National School of the Arts.
However, as her passion for literature blossomed, she shifted gears, aiming to become a fashion journalist.
Her mother’s encouragement to pursue studies at Wits University introduced her to Social Anthropology, a field that resonated deeply with her.
“I’ve been a dedicated scholar since then,” she recalls, reflecting on her academic evolution and its impact on her writing.
The writing was a companion for Masango during her adolescence. A childhood filled with books, thanks to her parents - both avid readers - honed her love for storytelling.
She began crafting poetry as early as Grade 10, sharing her pieces at school talent shows, which would later transform into meaningful public expressions.
Her early blogging experiences allowed her thoughts and poems to resonate with a wider audience, paving the way for a professional career harboured by her celebrated work, the “Mpumi’s Magic Beads” series, aimed at igniting curiosity and a love for learning in children.
A self-proclaimed scholar of Johannesburg, Masango draws her creative energy from a combination of solitude and the inspiring vibrancy of her surroundings.
“There are stories to find and share and keep safe for future generations,” she explains, highlighting her commitment to preserving cultural narratives.
As an emerging voice within children’s literature, her work embodies exploration and excitement, encouraging young readers to engage with the world around them.
Writing, particularly for children, is an immense commitment, and Masango is clear about the necessity of meeting her writing goals. “Time, solitude and a plan,” she states, are essential.
She dedicates two hours every morning to focused writing, enhancing her creativity by removing distractions, thereby providing herself with the mental space needed to craft powerful stories.
Despite the constraints of academia, Masango remains committed to her writing practice, balancing thesis research and literary pursuits.
Her office, filled with stacks of books and manuscripts, becomes a sanctuary for thought organisation and creativity.
Whether teaching, lecturing, or performing poetry, she embraces diverse expressions of literature while maintaining an unwavering focus on her work.
Her children’s books, rich with joy and imagination, are not merely entertainment; they are initiatives to inspire young minds. The “Mpumi’s Magic Beads” series welcomes children into the enchanting world of the City of Gold, infused with themes of friendship and adventure.
Masango also addresses fundamental literacy through tailored stories for toddlers, fostering foundational skills in a nurturing context.
As she moves forward, Masango projects a year dedicated to her scholarship, with plans for international conferences and the completion of her PhD thesis.
Alongside these academic pursuits, she aspires to release two new children’s books, further securing her identity as a leading voice in literature.
“I want to be counted among the voices that told the truth and preserved it,” she asserts.
For aspiring writers, Masango shares invaluable advice: “Read more than you write” and “Start a blog.”
She emphasises the importance of reading as a method to explore diverse styles and genres while encouraging writers to cultivate their unique voices without reliance on artificial intelligence.