Hi, I’m Dani – Author, Educator & Speaker. Storytelling is a tool I use to enthrall, enlighten, challenge and tickle my readers, learners and listeners alike.
I have a Rhodes University degree in Journalism & Media Studies, Psychology, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
My first book, Crazy Became Me, is a memoir of living yet thriving with the autoimmune disease called lupus. It takes readers on a riveting journey of overcoming the seemingly insurmountable challenges that come with living with this invisible, incurable disease.
Centered on my experiences of living with lupus, this book highlights the universal theme of hope, courage and taking the crazy moments of life with a pinch of salt.
Crazy Became Me has been featured on several media platforms in South Africa and Ghana, including Sunday Times, Morning Live (SABC 2), Health24, Cape Talk, Ghanaweb, Daily Guide Network, 702 Radio, ChaiFM, JOY Magazine and Northern News.
I am also the author of three children’s books: Watch Out, Haughty Hudson!, The Grumpy Gnu & Wandile, the Warrior on Woes (the first storybook in Africa about empowering children living with lupus).
As a former life skills lecturer at Rhodes University, a former director of a child mentoring programme, and certified life coach, I use my experience to coach teenagers and twenty somethings, using a strengths-based approach toward building confident, focussed, resilient adults.
I am a former community radio station host, producer and newsreader.
My experience teaching Speech & Drama privately and in school and studio settings spans over a decade.
My background in radio, drama and performance led me to a character I created called Madam Deleena: the Literacy Advocate for Little People. Madam Deleena is my alter ego who goes about igniting and delighting young children with the joys of storytelling and books.
She also has a YouTube channel: StoryTime with Madam Deleena. Madam Deleena has been featured on Newzroom Afrika, Smile 90.4FM, 702 Talk Radio and Cape Pulpit 729AM.
I get a kick out of creating captivating content (written and spoken). The kind that brings out the ooohhs, the ahhhs and oolalaaas.
And I do it with flair.
[See my full credentials here]