My Name Is Vaselinetjie by Anoeschka von Meck is a powerful coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa. This poignant work of contemporary fiction tells the story of a young Khoi girl affectionately known as Vaselinetjie, raised by her devoted white grandparents in a remote part of the Kalahari. Their unconventional but loving home is all she knows — until the authorities intervene, deeming the arrangement inappropriate because of racial and social conventions of the time.
Vaselinetjie is taken away to a state orphanage, a harsh and often unforgiving environment where she must navigate prejudice, loneliness, and questions about her identity. Through the friendships she forms and the hardships she endures, Vaselinetjie embarks on a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the enduring search for belonging. The novel explores themes of race, identity, and the meaning of family with sensitivity and emotional depth.
