Selwyn Milborrow and Dr Dewald Koen
Author and Learning Development staff member Selwyn Milborrow has written Skitterdinge en Skoeloeloe, and Dr Dewald Koen, Afrikaans lecturer in the Faculty of Education, has designed the supplementary materials to making it suitable for classroom use and discussion.
Selwyn holds a Master’s degree in Afrikaans and Dutch and brings academic insight and cultural sensitivity to the narrative, whereas Dewald ensured the text becomes a rich resource for classroom activities, and personal growth.
Published by NB Publishers, the book is widely shared among educators, parents, and reading groups for its relevant and accessible approach to complex social themes.
The story follows Zandi, a young girl who moves from Namibia to South Africa. On her first day at school, she is mocked for her Afrikaans accent and traditional Herero hairstyle. Feeling isolated, she recalls the guidance of her grandmother in Namibia. Drawing strength from her Herero heritage, Zandi begins to navigate her new environment.
Instead of reacting with anger, she turns to storytelling. Through sharing tales of her culture, she not only defuses bullying but begins to build connections with her classmates. The book emphasises how cultural understanding can foster empathy and friendship, especially among young learners.
Targeted at Grade 4 Home Language and Grade 5 First Additional Language learners, Skitterdinge en Skoeloeloe addresses themes such as bullying, belonging, and self-worth in a way that is both age-appropriate and educational.
The book’s online promotion has received widespread support, with readers praising its relevance in today’s diverse school settings. As conversations around inclusion and representation grow, Skitterdinge en Skoeloeloe offers young readers a meaningful way to explore identity and celebrate cultural differences through storytelling.
Selwyn is also the co-author of Madiba’s Quotes and Anecdotes, endorsed by Nelson Mandela University Alumni Association, a historical novel Operation Gratitude, published in the USA, and two poetry anthologies prescribed for South African high schools.