At just 19 years old, Naledi Setzin has published two books, balanced matric with literary ambition, and is proving that young South Africans do not need to wait for the “right” time to tell their stories.
For so many young people, matric is a year filled with deadlines, exams and uncertainty about the future. For Naledi Setzin, it was also the year she brought two books into the world.
The 19-year-old South African author recently self-published Jacaranda Tree, a children’s story centred on community responsibility and environmental care, alongside Locked In a Suitcase, a poetry chapbook exploring identity, self-discovery and the experiences that shape us.
What makes her story remarkable is not just her age, but the clarity of purpose behind her work. While many aspiring writers spend years waiting for the right opportunity, Setzin decided to create her own.
“I’ve always been passionate and fascinated with storytelling and also what makes us human, humanity, how we’re all connected,” she explains. “Everyone has our own unique history and story, and how we can share our stories to feel more connected with one another.”
Writing through the challenges
Publishing two books while completing matric wasn’t going to be easy. Setzin spent nearly three years developing her projects, carefully balancing her academic commitments with her passion for writing.
“When it came to releasing my work and my writing, it was a passion and a hobby but I soon realised I wanted to take the leap,” she says. Writing became more than a creative pursuit. It became a way of navigating difficult moments.
“Every time I felt overwhelmed or stressed, or going through a difficult moment, I found it easier to write something down and express myself than articulate myself,” she says. “Writing was a space where I could be authentic, raw, honest, and myself.”
Her family initially worried about how she would manage the additional responsibility during such a demanding academic year.
Those concerns soon gave way to support as they saw her discipline and commitment.
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A love affair with stories
Long before she became a published author, Setzin was captivated by storytelling. Whether through books, theatre or oral traditions, stories offered a window into different lives and perspectives.
“I’ve always loved storytelling through oral stories, theatre, and books,” she says. “It has always been entertaining and fascinating to me.”
That fascination eventually evolved into a deeper exploration of humanity itself. When asked about her greatest influences, Setzin points first to her parents. “My parents are a big role model,” she says. “They never let difficulty define them.”
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A children’s book with a powerful Message
Jacaranda Tree has a simple but meaningful premise. The story follows a jacaranda tree that serves as the heart of a community. As threats emerge to its survival, the people around it must decide whether to protect it or allow neglect to take its course.
For Setzin, the book is about more than a tree. “Social responsibility, civic duty, community care, environmentalism, and the power we have in our voice,” she says, describing the themes that underpin the story.
The message is particularly aimed at young readers who are often told that meaningful change is the responsibility of adults. Instead, Setzin wants children to understand that they already have the power to make a difference in their communities and environments.
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Beyond performative environmentalism
Environmental awareness is a recurring theme throughout Setzin’s work and public engagement. But her approach differs from the often confrontational tone that dominates online discussions. She believes lasting change comes from consistency rather than performance.
“Education is an issue,” she reflects. “People who are informed sometimes perform environmentalism just for photos or events, but I encourage consistent small lifestyle changes.”
Simple actions such as choosing reusable shopping bags over plastic may seem insignificant in isolation, but Setzin argues that collective action can create meaningful impact.
“A million or three million people making small changes can make a huge difference,” she says.
Rather than criticising others harshly, she prefers encouraging positive behavioural shifts through understanding and empathy. “I promote and encourage positive change instead of harsh criticism because people become defensive.”
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Poetry as a journey of self-discovery
While Jacaranda Tree looks outward toward community and environmental responsibility, Locked In a Suitcase turns inward. The chapbook contains 21 poems exploring the ways life experiences influence perception, identity and emotional growth.
“These are introspective poems about how life experiences shape our perceptions, biases, and worldview,” Setzin explains.
The collection invites readers into a process of reflection, encouraging empathy not only for others but also for themselves. Like many writers before her, Setzin began by writing for herself. What started as personal expression gradually evolved into work she felt ready to share with the world.
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Literature in service of community
For Setzin, success is not measured by sales figures or commercial recognition. “I did not do it for money but out of passion and community service,” she says.
She has donated copies of her books to libraries and non-governmental organisations, extending access to readers who may not otherwise encounter her work.
Her involvement with literary initiatives, including engagements with libraries and community organisations, portrays a bigger commitment to using literature as a tool for connection.
Just start
As Setzin prepares for the next chapter of her journey, including studying in the United States, she remains grounded in a philosophy that has guided her writing career from the beginning.
Her advice to South Africa’s youth is simple: “Just start. Start with what you have, what you know, and what you have access to.”
In a generation often confronted by barriers, uncertainty and self-doubt, that message carries particular weight. “You don’t need to wait for all the resources or connections,” she says. “If you don’t start, you won’t learn or grow. Take the leap. It’s scary but worth it.”
At 19, Naledi Setzin has already demonstrated what can happen when passion meets perseverance. Through storytelling, poetry and community engagement, she is showing that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change, one page at a time.
To learn more about Setzin and her books, watch the video below:
Image credit: Sandton Chronicle/X
