Radio Toni A Conversation with Kez, November 9, 2021 - a podcast by BBS Radio, BBS Network Inc.

Title: Kismet – our bucket list novel

Born and educated in South Africa, mother, and daughter, Cynthia and

Ilona lived through the apartheid era. They now embrace life in Australia, a country so similar yet so diverse.

Cynthia teaches and plays bridge; taught computers to seniors and English to migrants, also, she is learning Italian.

Ilona converted her South African law degree; presently runs her own law practice and is a director of a Board for small businesses.

Cynthia and Ilona are a mother and daughter and have recently published their novel Kismet which they began some 20 years ago. We would like to share with your readers our experience of jointly writing a novel, the bonding, the sense of connection, the support, and the ultimate sense of creativity in bringing the story to life .. it is our hope in these times to encourage others in the community to unite in this way - it a healthy and constructive venture …and it doesn’t have to take 20 years! 

Kismet, their bucket list novel is their debut.

Questions for the Guests:

TONI – Let's start with Cynthia and I wanted you to tell us a little about what it was like growing up in South Africa during apartheid.

KEZ Ilona what inspired you to write this and why was it on your bucket list? 

Life in South Africa.  After all, both of us, my mum and I have lived through the apartheid era and seen the once impossible demise of racial separation materialize.  

TONI What is the book about? Kismet is an exploration of the people living in the changed New South Africa.  It’s a story of humanity, love, betrayal, resilience… and finally, how hope sustains. On one level it's about people's lives and relationships, but below this is the deep and influential effect Apartheid had on the various paths they took.

KEZ Why choose fiction? Because it gave us a license to be creative.        

TONI I understand this has taken many years in the making, what were some of the highs and lows?  

At some point, it seemed that the novel wasn’t progressing as we would have liked.  As such, we took the proverbial sabbatical... time out for ourselves … time to recharge.  Some years later, with renewed passion and commitment, the novel was resuscitated. What started off as a poignant love story, evolved into a murder and a grueling Trial.  Almost two decades later, Kismet is ready to launch.           

KEZ For whom is this book's intended audience?  For anyone who has loved and lost and still maintains their idealism.   

TONI What do you think you have gained by writing as a mother-daughter team? We would like to share with your readers our experience of jointly writing a novel, the bonding, the sense of connection, the support, and the ultimate sense of creativity in bringing the story to life .. it is our hope in these times to encourage others in the community to unite in this way - it a healthy and constructive venture …and it doesn’t have to take 20 years! 

KEZ – has the move from South Africa to Australia being a good one for the family?

TONI – Ilona what are some of the main issues that remain for South Africa even today?

KEZ – do you think there will be any more books from the both of you?

TONI – What’s your hope not only for the book but for the future of South Africa?

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