IHRAM Writing laureate Mbizo Chirasha in Conversation with South African Writer Bianca Baasden

MC: Who is Bianca Baasden and what is she doing currently?
Bianca Baasden: I’m a creative spirit with a deep love for storytelling, design, and all things artistic. By day, I work as a draughtsman; by night (and every moment in between), I pour myself into multiple writing projects. My passion for the arts has always been strong, though it took years of exploring different mediums before I discovered my true calling—writing—as a teenager. Today, I’m fully embracing it as both my purpose and my way of life.

MC: How long have you been writing?
Bianca Baasden: I’ve been writing since I was a young teen. It started as a way to process emotions and ideas, but it’s evolved into something far greater. Recently, I made the decision to move writing from the sidelines and bring it into the center of my life.

MC: Where are your writings published?
Bianca Baasden: My work is currently published under my pen name, S.K. LeRoux, on Inkitt. You can find it her  https://www.inkitt.com/SKLeRoux

MC: How are writers, poets, and artists treated in your country?
Bianca Baasden: Honestly, I don’t think artists in South Africa receive the recognition they deserve. Unless someone “makes it big” internationally, especially in places like the U.S., their work often goes unnoticed. The glamour of Hollywood tends to overshadow the local voices fighting to be seen and heard. But we have so much untapped talent here—artists whose stories, songs, and visions could change the world, if only they were given the platform.

MC: How many writers' organisations are currently operating in South Africa?
Bianca Baasden: I’m not 100% sure of the exact number.

MC: How many books have you written so far?
Bianca Baasden: I have many drafts in progress—probably more than I can count (haha)—but as for published work, I currently have two stories out under my pen name.

MC: Have you won any writing, poetry, or book prizes?
Bianca Baasden: Not yet!

MC: Do your writings touch on gender and social justice?
Bianca Baasden: Yes, absolutely. My main goal is to tell the stories we often shy away from—the ones that challenge comfort zones. I write about survival, trauma, and the raw, uncomfortable truths that society tends to gloss over. I believe these stories deserve to be told honestly; without the polished endings the media often forces on them. Survivors deserve the truth of their pain and resilience to be honoured.

MC: How do you view freedom of speech or expression in your country?
Bianca Baasden: That’s one of the things I love most about South Africa. We’re able to express ourselves freely, and even when we disagree, there’s often a respectful understanding that different perspectives matter. We value the conversation, not the conflict.

Bianca Baasden: I’m a South African writer and draughtsman with a deep love for dark, emotional storytelling. Writing under the pen name S.K. LeRoux, I explore themes of trauma, survival, identity, and inner strength. I started writing as a teenager and never stopped, drawn to the raw, unfiltered parts of life that many are too afraid to face. While working full-time, I juggle multiple writing projects, pouring my heart into stories that are deeply personal yet speak to something universal. I aim to create space for voices that are often silenced, telling truths that deserve to be heard. My work is published on Inkitt, where I’ve begun building a loyal readership. My goal is to blend emotion, tension, and truth in a way that feels both intimate and unflinching. I’m inspired by the resilience of survivors and misfits, and I dream of one day holding my stories in physical book form. For me, writing isn’t just a craft—it’s a form of liberation, a way to speak the unspeakable and make space for healing.