In African culture, the wisdom of grandmothers is greatly valued and many traditional healers—sangomas—are women. The training of a sangoma can last as long as seven years. A good sangoma—and Grace is among the best!—is expected to master the techniques of divination, the treatment of mental and physical disorders, plant and animal medicine use, ritual, chant and song, and soul ascension. Although Grace’s mother was Zulu, her father’s ancestry is Caribbean, so Grace’s dialect is Afro-Caribbean in a sense and not strictly South African.
A lot of people have asked me if Martine and I are alike, and I’m quick to say that we’re not. However, she and I do have one thing in common, and that’s a passion for saving animals. I think a lot of kids feel that their pet is their friend, and that was definitely true of me. Like Martine, I often felt isolated or not as cool as everyone else. Although I did have lots of friends, my relationship with my black horse, Morning Star, was the most special of my childhood. I suppose I wrote The White Giraffe for anyone who understands what it’s like to fall completely in love with an animal and have them love you back.
My hope for The White Giraffe is that it is as enjoyable to read as it was to write. If it encourages even one person to want to help wildlife or to visit or want to know more about Africa, that would make me incredibly happy.
The White Giraffe Page 14