23-04-2025
‘I Am Lovely and Dark': Ntombi Meso's uplifting debut for young readers
Ntombi Meso releases her children's book "I Am Lovely and Dark" on World Book Day.
The book is inspired by her own childhood memories of being a dark-skinned little girl.
The book comes with affirmation cards for children and an audiobook voiced by Ntombi.
When Ntombi Meso thinks back to her childhood, one memory stands out – cruising around with her dad, vibing to Salif Keita's music and munching on amaqhina.
Even with her loving father who reminded her of her worth in many ways, something still weighed heavily on young Ntombi's heart.
'I struggled to fit into traditional beauty standards,' she shares, recalling the sting of being called umnyamane, a word that left deep emotional scars.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ntombi Meso | The Voice (@ntombi_meso)
As a dark-skinned girl growing up, the constant portrayal of lighter skin as the standard of beauty in the media made her feel invisible and unworthy.
'Despite my parent's love at home, the outside world often sent a different message,' she notes.
The multi-talented broadcaster who has a wealth of experience in the broadcasting industry is now flipping the script with her new children's book, 'I Am Lovely and Dark.'
The book follows the story of Kayise, a young girl learning to embrace and celebrate her dark skin. Through a reflection of her own experiences, Ntombi hopes to empower other little black girls who have ever felt the way she did.
A love letter to the melanin
'Representation in children's literature is crucial as it helps young readers see themselves and their experiences reflected, and this often creates a sense of belonging, self-worth, and empathy,' she shares.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ntombi Meso | The Voice (@ntombi_meso)
Contributing to the conversation of beauty in children, the book comes with positive affirmation cards and an audiobook voiced by Ntombi that children can listen to as many times.
When reflecting on how these additional resources can benefit children, she noted: 'Parents and caregivers can use the affirmation cards to promote positive self-talk in front of the mirror, create daily rituals and spark meaningful conversations.'
With the illustrations in the book being inspired by Lunga Jonas's deep understanding of Kayise's story, Ntombi collaborated closely with her, and her immediate grasp of the narrative helped shape the artwork.
The cover art, which has been revealed today, underwent three revisions to perfect the result.
A love letter to self
The broadcaster, who is already working on her next book, shares her excitement:
'It will convey themes of embracing versatility, celebrating diverse talents, and encouraging kids to explore different passions without fear of limitation. The message will be that it's okay to be multi-talented and that each talent can complement the others.'
If she had to sit with a younger version of herself for coffee, she'd definitely tell her keep pushing forward, even when it feels hard.
'Your voice matters, your dreams are worth chasing, and you're stronger than you realise."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ntombi Meso | The Voice (@ntombi_meso)
