Zimkhitha found FunDza on Mxit in 2012 and contacted us about submitting a story as a Fanz writer in August 2012. Her first story published – under her pseudonym ‘Vixene Jones’ – was The Invincible Force, about two lovers from different backgrounds trying to survive and build their lives together. It was great and our readers loved it.

She submitted another story, a sequel – To Hell and Back – soon thereafter. It was so good that I suggested to Ros that she work with her on a third story to make her a commissioned writer for FunDza.

The first commissioned story was Letters to Jane, about Catherine Stone who was in rehab and started writing letters to her fictional friend ‘Jane’ in an effort to deal with her inner demons.

We could see that Zimkhitha was a writer with exceptional talent and imagination. When she contacted us to find out whether there was any possibility of having a job with us we jumped at the opportunity. In January 2013, Zimkhitha joined our team as the Fanz editor and writer-in-residence.

She has grown and developed so much in the intervening years. And, FunDza has been shaped by her presence in our organisation. She not only has been an outstanding and compassionate editor and mentor to thousands of young writers, but she’s also worked in the field… running reading and writing workshops and inspiring new generations of readers and writers.

More recently she’s managed a team of younger editors and writers and has coached them in our philosophy of encouraging writing for expression, and boosting the confidence and improving the skills of young writers around the country.

In addition, her own writing has continued and flourished. She’s been published in print, with her Harmony High title Blood ties, and many of her stories have been included in a variety of FunDza-compiled anthologies.

Zimkhitha is not leaving us (we’re delighted to say) but she is taking a six-month break, so that she can concentrate on her new adventure – the much-anticipated birth of her baby, which is due in mid-December 2017.

We can’t wait to celebrate this new life, and share with her in the joys (and headaches) of motherhood. We’re so pleased that over the years, Zimkhitha has been able to make Muizenberg her home and so we are ready – with open arms – to hold and rock the baby!

We all wish Zimkhitha and her partner Brett so much happiness and love as they start this next chapter of their lives together.