Kanye and the Kite: Candida Mosoma's Journey to Children's Author
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On JustGospel's Friday Art with Malefa, actress-turned-author Candida Mosoma shared how divine redirection led her from rejected fine arts applications to becoming an indie children's book author.
The Accidental Performer
"As a child, I wanted to be everything—architect, doctor, lawyer," Candida recalled. Always shy, hiding behind her mother, she joined choirs for confidence. "It was a group effort, which was wonderful. I was never an individual being looked at."
In matric, top art student Candida sent portfolios to every fine arts institution in South Africa. "Not one took me. Not one." Devastated, she told her pastor father she'd take a year off as missionary. He refused: "Not my child. You can be a missionary after you're qualified for something. Find your foundation in education first."
Flipping through the TUT course book in spite, she found musical theater. "I've been in choir, so I can hold a note. Acting? Never done it, got stage fright, but hope I can learn. Dancing? Two left feet, but maybe I can learn. They said no to fine arts—I'm not holding my breath. Whatever." They accepted her. Twenty years later, she's performed in the West End and toured the world.
The Seeds of Publishing
"Storytelling isn't easy—people think you just put words on a page," Candida explained. Writing Kanye and the Kite felt like following breadcrumbs—each step revealing the next seed to plant. When she couldn't find a publisher, she self-published as an indie author. "I'm a one-man band, going through trial and error, making mistakes but learning. Family and faith fuel me. When I wanted to give up, they reminded me: look how far you've gotten from last year when this wasn't even an idea."
Ubuntu and Surrender
The story follows Tanyi, her pug Momo, and grandmother Kokwani on a kite-flying adventure. "Every story needs beginning, middle, end. She faces challenge, hits disappointment, then the Ubuntu moment—children in the park rally around her like community, supporting her at her lowest." The climax? "Her freedom moment where she realizes the kite and her is all about surrender through challenges."
Children's Wisdom
Reading at a school, a Grade 1 girl told the principal: "It's about never giving up on your dreams." At church, a shy four-year-old whispered descriptions page by page in Candida's ear. "I was fighting tears."
When her cousin read it to her daughter, the child lit up at "Kokwani" (Sotho for grandmother), ran to her nanny: "My kokwani is in the book!"
The Real Inspirations
Kokwani combines the wisdom of Candida's parents—her pillars who ensure she's never in too deep, who taught her never to give up on dreams. Every Monday, they do Bible verse and prayer via video call.
Tanyi is shaped around her sister—"the strongest little girl I know, my best friend. She's my Olivia Pope, my problem solver. She doesn't realize she's a modern-day female superhero. There's nothing she can't do."
Momo honors her pug who passed away last year. "He was always by my side, just as he's stuck to Tanyi. Dogs love harder than we do—they're personifications of angels. His spirit lives on."
Divine Redirection
"Every no is not punishment—it's redirection," Candida reflected. "If I'd been accepted into fine arts, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I've surrendered my career completely to God. When I try to control something—forget it, it won't work. The moment I say I want control? No. Just move on."
She's worked jobs knowing she wasn't qualified but went anyway—and got them. "I'd be mind-blown at how capable I was, not knowing I had the tools. Sometimes I've underestimated myself, then found with faith and hard work, I achieve things I never imagined. My life is a song to God, a living testimony of surrendering."
Get the Book
Available exclusively at www.mbilutales.com with companion coloring book. Free coloring page downloadable on site. Follow on Instagram: @mbilutales and TikTok: @mbilu.tales
Launch event details on blog.
The Accidental Performer
"As a child, I wanted to be everything—architect, doctor, lawyer," Candida recalled. Always shy, hiding behind her mother, she joined choirs for confidence. "It was a group effort, which was wonderful. I was never an individual being looked at."
In matric, top art student Candida sent portfolios to every fine arts institution in South Africa. "Not one took me. Not one." Devastated, she told her pastor father she'd take a year off as missionary. He refused: "Not my child. You can be a missionary after you're qualified for something. Find your foundation in education first."
Flipping through the TUT course book in spite, she found musical theater. "I've been in choir, so I can hold a note. Acting? Never done it, got stage fright, but hope I can learn. Dancing? Two left feet, but maybe I can learn. They said no to fine arts—I'm not holding my breath. Whatever." They accepted her. Twenty years later, she's performed in the West End and toured the world.
The Seeds of Publishing
"Storytelling isn't easy—people think you just put words on a page," Candida explained. Writing Kanye and the Kite felt like following breadcrumbs—each step revealing the next seed to plant. When she couldn't find a publisher, she self-published as an indie author. "I'm a one-man band, going through trial and error, making mistakes but learning. Family and faith fuel me. When I wanted to give up, they reminded me: look how far you've gotten from last year when this wasn't even an idea."
Ubuntu and Surrender
The story follows Tanyi, her pug Momo, and grandmother Kokwani on a kite-flying adventure. "Every story needs beginning, middle, end. She faces challenge, hits disappointment, then the Ubuntu moment—children in the park rally around her like community, supporting her at her lowest." The climax? "Her freedom moment where she realizes the kite and her is all about surrender through challenges."
Children's Wisdom
Reading at a school, a Grade 1 girl told the principal: "It's about never giving up on your dreams." At church, a shy four-year-old whispered descriptions page by page in Candida's ear. "I was fighting tears."
When her cousin read it to her daughter, the child lit up at "Kokwani" (Sotho for grandmother), ran to her nanny: "My kokwani is in the book!"
The Real Inspirations
Kokwani combines the wisdom of Candida's parents—her pillars who ensure she's never in too deep, who taught her never to give up on dreams. Every Monday, they do Bible verse and prayer via video call.
Tanyi is shaped around her sister—"the strongest little girl I know, my best friend. She's my Olivia Pope, my problem solver. She doesn't realize she's a modern-day female superhero. There's nothing she can't do."
Momo honors her pug who passed away last year. "He was always by my side, just as he's stuck to Tanyi. Dogs love harder than we do—they're personifications of angels. His spirit lives on."
Divine Redirection
"Every no is not punishment—it's redirection," Candida reflected. "If I'd been accepted into fine arts, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I've surrendered my career completely to God. When I try to control something—forget it, it won't work. The moment I say I want control? No. Just move on."
She's worked jobs knowing she wasn't qualified but went anyway—and got them. "I'd be mind-blown at how capable I was, not knowing I had the tools. Sometimes I've underestimated myself, then found with faith and hard work, I achieve things I never imagined. My life is a song to God, a living testimony of surrendering."
Get the Book
Available exclusively at www.mbilutales.com with companion coloring book. Free coloring page downloadable on site. Follow on Instagram: @mbilutales and TikTok: @mbilu.tales
Launch event details on blog.
