SA Matric Learner Publishes Two Books

Young author releases children’s story Jacaranda Tree and poetry chapbook Locked In a Suitcase, encouraging South African youth to read, reflect, and trust their voices.

In a world that often tells young people to wait their turn, South African matric student Naledi Setzin did the opposite. While still in high school, Setzin wrote and self-published not one, but two books: a children’s story titled Jacaranda Tree and a poetry chapbook, Locked In a Suitcase. Published during her matric year in 2025, Setzin’s journey is a testament to what can happen when creativity meets courage. Without waiting for perfection, permission, or the “right time”, she embraced a simple but powerful philosophy: just start.

“I didn’t need everything to be perfect,” says Setzin. “I just needed to be honest and real.”

At the heart of her work is a belief that young people have something meaningful to say. Through her writing, Setzin hopes to encourage her peers to read more, reflect more, and express themselves freely – even when their voices feel unfinished, uncertain, or still becoming. Her passion for storytelling was shaped not only by imagination, but by lived experience. During difficult periods in her life, including illness and personal loss, writing became a refuge. It allowed her to process emotion, explore vulnerability, and find clarity in moments that were otherwise hard to articulate.

“Sometimes it’s easier to write than to speak,” she says. “On paper, I can be completely raw and honest.”

Setzin’s two books reflect both her inner world and her awareness of the one around her. Jacaranda Tree, written for younger readers, explores themes of environmental responsibility, civic duty, and the importance of collective accountability. Through storytelling, Setzin highlights the power of young voices and the responsibility that comes with using them constructively to protect the world around us. The book encourages readers to see environmental care not as an abstract issue, but as an everyday commitment connected to how we treat our communities, public spaces, and one another.

“Protecting your environment, communities, and surroundings in a constructive rather than destructive manner allows us to preserve what we need for society to flourish,” says Setzin. By encouraging young readers to think critically about their role in society, Jacaranda Tree positions accountability, compassion, and community-minded action as essential tools for building a more sustainable future.

In contrast, Locked In a Suitcase offers a more introspective lens. The poetry collection examines identity, perspective, and the idea that each person carries their own “suitcase” of experiences, beliefs, memories, and emotions that shape how they see the world. Together, the two books show a young writer working across genres: one speaking outwards to children and communities; the other turning inwards to explore the private emotional landscapes young people often carry quietly.

Beyond her own work, Setzin is passionate about championing African literature and creating space for young voices to be heard. “I believe people don’t actually hate reading,” she says. “They just haven’t found something that speaks to them yet.”

Her message to other young creatives is clear: start where you are, use what you have, and trust your voice. As South Africa continues to spotlight stories that inspire, uplift, and challenge assumptions about young people, Naledi Setzin represents a new generation of creators – bold enough to begin, and brave enough to share.

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Author: Vanessa Rogers from TextBOX Conceptual on behalf of The Kreatives Agency.

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