24 Nov 2025

A determined author is proving that age is just a number when it comes to chasing one’s dreams. Motlalemetsi Lebakeng, 43, recently launched her debut motivational book, Own Your Reason, and is inspiring others to do the same.

In an interview, Lebakeng shared that the idea for her book came on her 40^th birthday in 2022. The Shakawe-based healthcare assistant at the Okavango District Council (ODC) took time to reflect on her life, questioning whether she was living a fulfilled, God-centred life.

“I realised that I had been putting my dreams on hold for far too long, I decided then that it was time to take a leap of faith and pursue my passion for writing,” Lebakeng said.

Own Your Reason is Lebakeng’s first published work, and she hopes it will motivate others to pursue their own dreams, no matter their age or circumstances.

”It is never too late to start, and never too late to try. I want to encourage everyone to take that first step, to own their reason for being, and to live their best life.”

Lebakeng realised quite often people concetrated on societal expectations and roles such as being a mother, a wife and failed to challenge themselves beyond that.

She initially started by hosting motivational talks through public speaking to inspire people through her life and spiritual experiences. 

“I encourage people to know that they are God’s creation,” she said.

It was in 2023 when Lebakeng began writing her motivational book which was not an easy task since she was a full-time employee, a wife and a mother hence she had to adjust her schedule and write during odd hours. “Before then I did not know that I could write, therefore I realised that it is never late for one to dream and follow their passion,” she said.

She said Own Your Reason challenged the reader to identify who they were and the reason for their existence. 

The motivational book she said, was a simple guide for a person to realise his or her potential. 

“I am also still on the journey of self-discovery and I have realised that it is better to influence the next person when you are on the same process as compared to when you believe you have reached your mark,” she said.

She said the motivational book was suitable for people of all ages from children to adults and could help one to reconnect with their childhood, to dissect how they were groomed and to face their childhood traumas, something which would help one identify the good from the bad from their childhood.

She said Own Your Reason was a package for a purpose-driven life and therefore covers diverse issues such as family life, spirituality, workplace environment and retirement; with motivation on how to navigate through life from childhood to adulthood.

Once the draft was completed, Lebakeng said she faced the challenge of lack of means to publish and print the book but she her husband sponsored both printing and publishing of the book. She thanked God for making her achieve her goal and encouraged people to follow their passion and dreams. ENDS