User:Anyefru/sandbox/Stacey Fru. Awards Winning 9 Year Old Chapter Books Author

Stacey Fru Africa’s youngest Chapter books writer (born 16th February 2007 in Johannesburg South Africa) is a South African writer, Ballerina, Guitarists, Public Speaker, Safety and Security Activist. Founder, ‘A Book A Child’ Campaign. She writes stories, essays, poems, speeches and attempts songs. Stacey is a motivational and inspirational speaker of choice for any crowd.

Early Life Stacey is a second child of four children. She was born in Johannesburg. Her mother, Victorine and her father Emmanuel are both Cameroonian immigrants. Her mother holds a Master’s Degree in Media Studies and her Father a PhD in Politics.

Public speaking Stacey runs workshops for children. Her first public appearance was when she was 8. She spoke to 877 matric learners at a Career Expo organised by Anglo-Gold Ashanti in April 2015 on the topic “living your dream”.

Role in Organisations • At the age of 8, Stacey was a guest speaker at the Gauteng Provincial Department of Education’s Spellaton award ceremony 2015. • She was also a guest speaker when the Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi launched the Young Writers Programme in a Provincial campaign to encourage young South Africans to write. • At age 9, Stacey was adopted as the youngest founding member of the Wits University’s “Centre for Multilingual Education and Literacies” in 2016.

Writing and Journalism Stacey’s first full-length book Smelly Cats was published in June 2015 when she was 8 (ISBN: 978-0-620-65490-6 eISBN 978-0-620-65491-3). Her second book Bob and the Snake was published in September 2016 and its foreword was written by the Vice Chancellor of Wits University, Professor Adam Habib (ISBN 978-0-620-71872-1 and eISBN 978-0-620-71865-3). Stacey continues to write.

Other Activities Performed by Stacey Fru • Stacey addressed two separate groups of children at Jozi Book Fair in 2015 and 2016. • Stacey presented her book to Gauteng Department of Education Curriculum Development Unit: Foundation Phase team. • Stacey presented her book at the Directorate of Learning and Teaching Support Material at the Department of Basic Education. • Stacey gave a talk to Early Childhood Development Educators at the Career Expo.

Media Appearances Television Guest • Mindset Television (www.mindset.co.za) • SABC3-Funatic Show (www.sabc.co.za)

Radio Guest • Voice of Tembisa (www.voiceoftembisafm.co.za) • SAFM (www.sabc3.co.za) • Apex Radio (America) www.apex1radio.com • Alex FM Radio (www.alexfm.co.za) • East Wave Radio (www.eastwavefm.co.za) • Radio Helderberg (www.radiohelderberg.co.za)

Magazine Articles Written about Stacey Fru • You Magazine (www.you.co.za) • Drum Magazine (www.drum.co.za)

Newspaper Articles on Stacey Fru • Saturday Star, Link http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/saturday-star/20150704/281874412067931/TextView • North Eastern Tribune, link http://northeasterntribune.co.za/183678/budding-young-author-shines/ and http://northeasterntribune.co.za/187416/child-author-shines-with-more-awards/ • Cape Times, link http://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/whizz-kids-book-chosen-for-primary-school-reading-2037045

• Lenasia Rising Sun link http://risingsunlenasia.co.za/33410/nelson-mandela-leadership-awards/ and http://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/nine-year-old-inspires-with-second-book-2068871.www.mindset.co.za

Online Articles on Stacey Fru • Wits University online Publication. Link http://www.wits.ac.za/newsroom/newsitems/201508/27039/news_item_27039.html • SA Breaking News link http://www.sabreakingnews.co.za/2015/08/13/eight-year-old-launches-her-first-book/, • The Big Issue Magazine’s Cape Town link http://www.bigissue.org.za/news/seen-and-heard-qa-with-stacey-fru/, • All4Women Online Magazine link http://www.all4women.co.za/499338/parenting/parenting-articles/meet-south-africas-youngest-author • The University of South Africa (UNISA) link http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewNewsItem&NewsID=2287&Cmd=GetNav&NavID=6 • CCTV-Africa.com link: http://cctv-africa.com/2016/04/02/are-these-africas-youngest-published-authors-world-marks-internationalchildrensbookday/. • Stacey was featured in micampus online magazine link: http://www.micampusmag.co.za/2016/09/this-years-jozibookfair-brings-you-stacey-fru-the-nine-year-old-black-   south-african-girl-who-penned-her-first-book-at-the-age-of-seven/

Find Stacey's Books Online on: • www.amazon.com • www.kindle.com • www.kobo.com • www.xarrabooks.co.za • www.nielsen.com/uk

Charity • Stacey was invited as a guest speaker at an event in Pretoria organized by Mohau, Centre of hope for children. After interacting and motivating the children at the centre to live their dreams. She fell in love with the children at the centre. As a result she has adopted Mohau, Centre of hope for children as her charity of choice

Activism • Stacey’s first activism campaign is labelled “Safety and Security Campaign for Children by a Child,” scheduled for Nov 28th. Stacey is driving a campaign labelled “A child a book” aimed at encouraging every African child to own and not just read a book.

Awards and Honours Bestowed on Stacey Fru • ‘Smelly Cats’ won the 2016 NDA ‘Best ECD Publication 2015: Special Mention Category,’ Prize sponsored by UNICEF and bestowed by the Minister of Social Development. • In 2016, Stacey won 5th Nelson Mandela International Day Community Leadership Award Ceremony; ‘Young Leader 2016’ for her leading motivational and inspirational     roles, and ‘Academic Achievements and Initiatives 2016’ for her writings.

References • Wits University online Publication link http://www.wits.ac.za/newsroom/newsitems/201508/27039/news_item_27039.html • SA Breaking News link http://www.sabreakingnews.co.za/2015/08/13/eight-year-old-launches-her-first-book/, • The Big Issue Magazine’s Cape Town link http://www.bigissue.org.za/news/seen-and-heard-qa-with-stacey-fru/, • All4Women Online Magazine link http://www.all4women.co.za/499338/parenting/parenting-articles/meet-south-africas-youngest-author • The University of South Africa (UNISA) link http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewNewsItem&NewsID=2287&Cmd=GetNav&NavID=6 • CCTV-Africa.com link: http://cctv-africa.com/2016/04/02/are-these-africas-youngest-published-authors-world-marks-internationalchildrensbookday/. • Stacey was featured in micampus online magazine link: http://www.micampusmag.co.za/2016/09/this-years-jozibookfair-brings-you-stacey-fru-the-nine-year-old-black-south-african-girl-who-penned-her-first-book-at-the-age-of-seven/ •Stacey Fru www.amazon.com.