Timeless Voices Publishers will officially launch next month, along with a double book launch both from renowned author Winnie Winani Mpala, best known for her debut novel Lea’s Secret. The highly anticipated event promises to be a vibrant literary celebration, featuring presentations, talk shows, spoken word performances, storytelling, and music.
Mpala expressed her excitement, stating, “this event will provide an interactive platform, creating a unique space where attendees can engage with authors from various nations, including my own publishing house. The double book launch will offer a rich literary experience and an opportunity for dialogue between audience and fellow authors.”
Themed Unwrapping the Gift of Stories: Voices That Inspire, Connect, and Transform, the event will showcase the official launch of Mpala’s publishing house, Timeless Voices, and the release of two new books—Tween Tales and Silent Echoes.
Timeless Voices aims to give authors in Botswana’s North West region a voice in the broader tapestry of the country’s literary scene. “I believe the voices and art from this region are not shared adequately, and this is an opportunity to bring more regional talent into the spotlight,” said Mpala.
The two books set for launch cater to diverse audiences. Tween Tales, a novella for middle-grade readers (8 to 12 years old), comprises two stories designed to instill moral values. The first tale revolves around a young girl who struggles with bullying and resorts to stealing sugar to appease her bullies. The second story explores the girl’s transformation as she discovers a newfound love for the color yellow through her encounter with beautiful butterflies.
Silent Echoes, a deeply emotional poetry collection, touches on themes of domestic violence, abuse, and trauma.
Mpala explained, “these poems extend solace and empowerment to those who have faced darkness, offering hope and strength. It would be an understatement to say literature has the power to liberate and give insights that can inertly allow a reader to reflect and find meaning in their own struggles.”
Mpala revealed that Silent Echoes is her most personal work yet, chronicling the struggles she faced after surviving childhood sexual assault and the emotional scars that haunted her into adulthood. “For years, the trauma weighed on me like a heavy cloud. I was trapped, voiceless, unable to share what had happened,” she confided. “I suffered in silence, isolated by the pain.”
Reflecting on her journey as a writer, Mpala shared how she grew up as a quiet, introverted girl, profoundly affected by the traumatic event. It shaped her in ways she hadn’t fully understood, leading to personal challenges later in life, including enduring two divorces and having to rebuild herself each time. However, it was through writing that she began to heal, finding her voice and understanding her past. Her writing became a way to liberate others from their own dark places.
“Writing brought me healing; it gave me a place to reclaim my voice,” Mpala explained. “Although my stories are fictional, they are rooted in emotional truths. Writing forced me to confront my demons and find meaning in them. Over time, I realised two important things: first, that I have a lion’s voice inside me, and I shouldn’t fear letting it roar. Second, by sharing my story, I’ve helped others find the courage to seek help for their own struggles. That’s the greatest gift writing has given me—helping others break free from cycles of pain. Writing saved me, and it has provided others with the tools to find freedom, to embrace their humanity, and to find meaning amid life’s chaos. For that, I’m profoundly grateful.”
Furthermore, the event is expected to attract international authors, including Nomawele Njongo from South Africa, Keamogetse Joseph Molapong from Namibia, and Dr. Stella Gonye Tshuma from Namibia, among others. Local presenters will also take the stage, with performances by musical artists such as Koolkat Motyiko.
With tickets priced at P100 and P250 (which includes a copy of Mpala’s book), this literary extravaganza is expected to be a memorable experience for literature lovers. Mpala hinted at a surprise appearance by a mysterious author who will be revealed during the event.
“I hope this will become an annual event that brings authors and readers together,” Mpala concluded. “This is just the beginning of something truly special for Botswana’s literary scene.”
