By Moono Chungu
On being nominated for the COPPA Book Awards
If you had told me back in university that my book Routes© would gain this much traction, I might have smiled politely, nodded and quietly thought: “Sure… maybe one day.” But here I am today – living through a “maybe one day” moment that turned into this very moment!
When I first put pen to paper, my heart was rooted in two dreams: to be recognised as an advocate for anti-tribalism and to one day be featured on ZNBC. These were big, bold dreams that seemed far-fetched for a young lady juggling two majors, campus life at Rhodes University, and storytelling ambitions. And yet, the route from dreaming to doing came with beautiful twists that I never imagined.
I can confidently say that the first dream has been fulfilled. My book has been embraced as a timely voice for tribal unity. It has sparked conversations, challenged perspectives, and became a bridge in spaces where division once lived; all affirmed that my story matters.
The ZNBC dream? Not yet; but I still believe I will one day get a chance to say “Mama! Tune in; I’m on ZNBC!” Thankfully, I have been featured on several amazing platforms – TV stations, newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and radio interviews… each carrying its own unique magic.
But here’s the plot twist I never saw coming: being nominated for an award.
Yes. Me. Nominated!
The final day of voting under the COPPA Book Awards was a nerve-wrecking one! And when the voting came to a close and I saw my name as a finalist and officially a nominee for an award under the: History, Heritage & Political Category, I had to let it sink in. Never, in the wildest corners of my imagination, did I anticipate this kind of recognition. It’s one thing to have your book read; it’s another thing entirely to have it celebrated.
The COPPA nomination has come with a wonderful whirlwind of hype and opportunity. For starters, it’s all the votes that my mum garnered from her friends and our family. And my friends pulled through too; sending me countless screenshots as proof of their countless votes! To say I was backed would be an understatement! Then, I got to take part in a COPPA Book Sale where I not only showcased my work, but also connected with fellow Authors, readers, and creative thinkers.
This nomination reminded me that there’s power in dreaming, but also strength in the small, steady steps we take toward those dreams. Writing that book in university was not just an act of creative expression; it was a seed that I planted in faith. A seed that is now blooming in ways I never predicted.
And so, I find myself now looking ahead to June 27th – the day of the award ceremony – with a heart full of gratitude and anticipation. This journey – from the quiet corners of campus to bold public platforms – has already gifted me more than I could ever ask for.
So, here’s to the Routes we take,
To the dreams we root ourselves in,
To the detours that shape us and the destinations that surprise us,
Here’s to the recognition we never saw coming and the platforms we still believe for,
Because every Route, no matter how winding, is worth the rooting.
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