A New Year. A Brave Beginning.

As the sun has now risen on 2026, we pause, not to slow down, but to honour where this story began.

Khanyi and the Kite began as something deeply private.

An escape.

A place to breathe.

My own way of flying.

I had always written quietly, never with the intention of sharing. Writing was personal, mine alone. But when Khanyi’s story began to take shape, and I started working on the illustrations, something unlocked. I realised I was holding more than a story. I was holding culture. Memory. Family. A reflection of where I come from, of who I am.

That’s when the importance of representation became clear to me not as a concept, but as something lived. I began to see the gap in my own childhood. The absence of pages where I could recognise myself fully. The little girl in me turned back, searching for her bold unapologetic reflection taking centre stage in the books and screens she grew up with.

And she didn’t find it.

That moment pushed me to a point of no return.

 

From a Quiet Dream to a Shared Story

Mbilu Tales was born from that realisation. From the understanding that stories rooted in Afrocentric love and heritage can also be universal—open, warm, and welcoming to children everywhere.

In October, that truth took flight with the launch of Khanyi and the Kite.

Khanyi stepped into the world as a brave, curious heroine, one who dares to try, even when things don’t go as planned. By her side is Momo, her loyal companion: playful, steady, and full of heart. Together, they remind us that courage isn’t about perfection, it's about taking that first step, trying without vision of the outcome it's about continuing, especially when you feel unsure.

 

A Year of Firsts

The months surrounding the launch were filled with meaningful firsts.

First readings.

First school visits.

First families choosing the book for their children.

First messages saying, “My child saw themselves in this story.”

What began as a personal escape became something shared, read aloud, passed between hands, and woven into moments of connection between adults and children.

This time last year, I never imagined I would be an author, let alone a publisher. But sometimes the dreams we don’t fully see for ourselves are the ones that must be realised.

 

Stories Travelling Further

Around the launch, Mbilu Tales was supported by generous media coverage across print, digital, television and radio platforms. These conversations helped Khanyi’s story reach beyond a single moment, opening space for dialogue about children’s storytelling, joy, and representation.

While Khanyi and the Kite is Afrocentric at its heart, its spirit is universal. It speaks to children of all backgrounds because courage, curiosity, and love belong to everyone. This is not a story for one group, it is a story for children everywhere.

With Gratitude

This journey has been shaped by belief and encouragement.

By parents who brought the book into their homes.

By educators who opened classroom doors.

By media voices who listened and shared.

By supporters from all corners of the world who sent messages of love and trust.

Every step forward has been made possible by you.

 

Stepping Into 2026

The new year arrives full of possibility.

2026 is about building gently, intentionally, and with heart. About growing the Mbilu Tales world, expanding Khanyi’s adventures, and continuing to create stories that honour heritage while celebrating childhood in all its colour and wonder.

The foundation has been laid.

The kite is flying.

And the journey continues.

With gratitude and hope for the year ahead,

Mbilu Tales