Stellenbosch University alumna Awodwa Confidence Tobo, or Confi as she is fondly known, drew on her own experiences to author Oom and Thandi: A Heritage Day Never to be Forgotten, which highlights an intergenerational friendship between a young black girl from a township and an elderly man from the former East Germany.
The book focuses on how two people from different backgrounds overcome obstacles, such as being judged by the colour of their skin instead of the kindness they show each other. They help people in their community understand that friendship is about empathy, appreciation and understanding, and their planned event brings people together.
According to Confi, who grew up in Kayamandi in Stellenbosch, she wanted to honour her friendship with ‘Oom Karl’, who came to South Africa when he was 15 years old and passed away in 2017.
“I met Oom Karl in 2015. He looked very old and a bit grumpy, but he had the heart of an angel. We became the best of friends. I was learning German at university, and he would give German lessons while I taught him isiXhosa and about the Xhosa culture. He was my confidant, a shoulder to cry on when schoolwork got tough, and he encouraged me to be a better person.
“I wanted to share our story with people because it teaches many life lessons,” she says.
As a teacher, Confi has the opportunity to influence children’s lives, and she wanted to do the same with this book.
“The book was received very well. People love the story, and many people can relate to it as they’ve had similar experiences.”
She admits that it was not easy to write and selfpublish a children’s book. “I started writing the book about three years ago. It’s been edited many times and I also had to find funding to publish the book.”
As a child in Kayamandi, Confi was exposed to an NGO with a holistic focus on children’s abilities. “One of the NGO’s focus areas was education, and my passion to help and develop my community was nurtured there.”
After school, she obtained three qualifications at Stellenbosch University, i.e. a BA International Studies degree in 2016, a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development in 2017, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in 2021.
She also created the movement We Exist after a trip to Nepal in 2017. She describes it as a ‘passion project’, driven by her love for people and her desire to be an advocate for nature. The aim of the movement is to facilitate transformation through open dialogues, a podcast, education programmes for the youth, and guided tours through communities and in nature. Confi loves meeting new people and learning about different cultures, and her dream for our country is social cohesion as well as equal education and opportunities.
“I want every child to achieve their dream without having to worry about money or what they have to eat,” she adds.
Oom and Thandi: A Heritage Day Never to be Forgotten, can be purchased online at Amazon.com
