Candida Mosoma releases Khanyi and the Kite as part of the Mbilu Tales Series
making her debut as an Afrocentric children’s author
Multi-award winning South African actress and singer, UK-based Candida Mosoma now takes an exciting and bold step into a new art form, debuting as an Afrocentric children’s author with the release of Khanyi and the Kite, taking place on her home soil in the City of Tshwane on 19 October, the first book of her new Mbali Tales collection.
Take flight with Khanyi and her pug, Momo, in this joyful Afrocentric picture book about love, courage and endless possibilities.
Fresh from Kokwani’s kitchen, Khanyi’s bold, bright and beautiful kite is ready for the skies. But when the wind carries it away, Khanyi and Momo set off on a playful chase through the park. Along the way, Khanyi remembers Kokwani’s timeless words;
“Fly, my little kite, fly high in the sky…
Your world is endless, your world will always be new.”
With stunning Pixar-style illustrations, rhythmic storytelling and themes of family, resilience and imagination, Khanyi and the Kite is a celebration of heritage and hope.
Perfect for ages 3 – 7, this book will delight children at story time and inspire them to believe in their own boundless journeys.
Candida explains what inspired her to write Khanyi and the Kite; “My writing journey began with the need to create a world where little girls like me could see heroines who looked like them. For decades, children’s media rarely gave Black girls the spotlight. Between 1985 and 1998, there were no animated shows led by Black girls, and when they finally appeared, most were African American — not African. In nearly forty years, only two shows have centered African girl heroines: Bino & Fino and Super Sema.
Books have not fared much better. While Afrocentric picture books are blooming, Tsonga heroines — girls rooted in my own culture — are almost non-existent. That silence lit the fire for my debut picture book, Khanyi and the Kite. Khanyi is bold, bright, and beautiful — an Afrocentric heroine carrying the rhythms of Tsonga heritage into children’s hands everywhere.”
She continues; “When my cousin read the story to her daughter, her little face lit up the moment she heard the word ‘Kokwani.’ She ran to tell her nanny, ‘My Kokwani is in the book!’ That joy reminded me why representation matters. Through my publishing house, Mbilu Tales (‘Mbilu’ means heart), I hope Khanyi will be the first of many heroines to bring the richness of African heritage to the global stage.”
Why Mbilu Tales?
‘Mbilu’ means ‘heart’ in Tsonga – the language of Candida’s roots.
Mbilu Tales is where her heart and heritage meet storytelling.
Each tale is a song for little dreamers, a dance for little explorers and a bright mirror for children to see the beauty of who they are.
The heroines in these books are bold, radiant and full of joy, carrying with them the warmth of home and the wonder of adventure – stories for every child, everywhere.
Candida wants to encourage young dreamers and to inspire them; “Each dream is a seed from your imagination. Your hard work and determination are the soil and water it needs to grow. Don’t dim your light in fear of how bright you can shine. There is only one you in this world, and we need to hear your voice.”
She concludes; “Just like Khanyi’s kite, take to the skies and soar. Yes, there will be challenges along the way, but with love, a bit of Ubuntu, and support, no foe can stop you”
Khanyi and the Kite is now available for purchase in both South Africa and the United Kingdom on the Mbilu Tales Website , ahead of its official release in South Africa in October.
Head to the website at www.mbilutales.com for more information and book prices and to sign up for the newsletter to be kept informed as future books are released.
** Coming soon: Khanyi on Safari – the next adventure in the Khanyi series!
Follow Mbilu Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbilutales/
Follow Candida Mosoma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidamosoma/
About Candida Mosoma
Candida Mosoma is a multi-award winning South African performer, best loved and remembered for her many roles like Lorell Robinson in Dreamgirls, Deloris van Cartier in Sister Act and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 2018 Candida headed overseas, embarking on a 4-year international tour of The Lion King after which she joined the UK & Ireland Tour in 2022, concluding in March 2024.
Now residing in England, Candida was most recently seen in the stage adaptation of the popular movie, Scissorhandz: The Musical after which she made a triumphant return to The Lion King, currently performing nightly in the West End production at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
Important note to South African media:
Candida will be visiting Gauteng, South Africa from 6 – 19 October and will be available for any interviews, book signings and appearances at schools and children’s clubs while visiting.
Please contact Collett Dawson at collett@thecolabnetwork.com should you want to make any of those arrangements.
