In New Book, Author Shares Her “journey as African mother, living with autistic child”

In the first four chapters of the book, the mother of four recounts the premature birth of her son, as well as the expectations and values attributed to a boy child in an African context.

“Because my son had been a premature baby and had been on oxygen for six months, I excused his not attaining the various goals of early child development,” Ms. Nkamankeng said, and added, “Sons are highly valued, particularly in the African context as they will continue the lineage of (their) fathers… it wasn’t easy to learn and accept that our son is autistic.”

Self-denial, coming to terms with having an autistic child, African culture, myths about children with special needs and believing and accepting that all children are a gift from God, are also discussed in the book.

“In Africa autism is often attributed to something mysterious and paranormal; it's often attributed to witchcraft,”  the recipient of the AfriCAN Honoree Authors’ Award told ACI Africa.

She continued, “People suffering from this disorder witness great social adversity and discrimination.”

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“In Africa people tend to look at children with special needs differently, especially children with autism. They don't know that it's a neuro brain disorder; they think it’s something else, that it’s evil or some sort of witchcraft”, Ms. Nkamankeng said.

Other chapters of the book address Nkamankeng’s journey as an African mother, building friendships and drawing inspiration from the Biblical perspective of motherhood.

She told ACI Africa during the April 25 interview, “I had no one to mentor me through this frightening experience; I wanted to hear the soothing voice of an African Mama who had carried her child on her back for too long because he could not walk on time like other children. I needed to know that all would be okay.”

Ms. Nkamankeng added, “Since I could not find that African woman whose shoulder I could cry on, whose words of encouragement I could hold on to, I decided to be that woman so that my son would not stand alone.”

“This learning process brought me to my knees. God brought peace overflowing to my heart when I didn’t understand what to do, nor how to do it. Through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, God gave direction,” she further shared. 

The Synod Champion of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Yeoville-Johannesburg went on to recount, “I took time and decided to learn about mothers in Biblical times. These women in the Bible knew the greatness of their God.”

“I am encouraged by those bold, godly women who respectfully used the influence given to them to rescue, protect and guide,” she said.

The last two chapters of the new book are about divine intervention, having faith and trust in God.

The former Mrs. Africa Global Universe said that faith and trusting in God are key to recognizing supernatural breakthroughs in one’s life.

“I chose to set the gospel as my standard and live life at that level. When we express our faith in God, we will be heard and our children will bear the mark of our faith and God’s intervention”, Ms. Nkamankeng said.

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She described her new book as an open window into her own life and that of her autistic child and siblings that tells the story of a mother’s fascinating encounter with a condition that is neither known nor understood by many.

Sheila Pires is a veteran radio and television Mozambican journalist based in South Africa. She studied communications at the University of South Africa. She is passionate about writing on the works of the Church through Catholic journalism.