TAF the Builder Book Launch

The launching of “TAF The Builder”, a blockbuster book is depicting the inspirational life of an African living legend Mustapha Njie symbolizes the longstanding African tradition of passing down knowledge through storytelling.

The book launched yesterday in The Gambia tells the story of how Mr Njie, who started as a carpenter, made it big, building great cities across Africa. He has recorded his life journey as an inspiration to the younger generation.

The event was packed with fellow Africans with great experiences. One among the many brilliant deliveries which highlighted the day was a marvellous speech by Anna Buttner, founder of Fyen Network, the institution which published the book.

Anna recalled a time in her life when she was pregnant and was in search of an “African Princess” book in a US bookshop for her yet-to-be-born daughter. To her utter surprise, she could not find one. She felt disappointed; however, she channelled her frustration into something positive.

She took her mum’s advice to write an African story book and came up with the now-popular “Princess Halima” book which told a unique African story. She toured schools to read out the book to students.

The positive reaction and interest from Black diasporan community encouraged Anna and her team to work on several other African books with the result being a whole publishing firm.

Her approach to the initial frustration has been rated positive and impactful. Instead of merely ranting, she chose to provide a solution.

By Richard Kwame Krah