Following Flo Fay and Wybie On The Haenertsburg Grasslands

In the heart of Haenertsburg, where misty mountains meet enchanted grasslands, local author Ronel Janse Van Rensburg has brought a delightful story to life. As a dedicated pre-school teacher and dyslexia therapist, she really understands how vital it is to read to children and ignite within them a love for books.  Flo Fay and Wybie’s Magical Adventure, beautifully blends imagination with real-world places, celebrating the wonder of nature, the joy of companionship and the magic tucked into everyday moments. 

Illustrated by local artist John Coetzer, with ‘the delicate, dreamlike quality of watercolours’ he captures the village’s gentle magic in a way Ronel describes as ‘tender and brilliant.’  The story follows young Flo Fay and her loyal rescue dog Wybie as they explore the Haenertsburg Grasslands, discover wildflowers, encounter gnomes and fairies and embark on magical adventures inspired by the landscapes Ronel holds dear.  For her, the book began with a heartfelt wish to awaken a sense of wonder in children for the lush, vibrant grasslands surrounding her village and to ignite a passionate love for the outdoors, embracing the magic of nature with open arms.  

In a world where screens can overshadow the outdoors, she wanted to inspire young readers to feel the grass beneath their feet, breathe fresh air as well as to connect with the beauty of plants, trees and the freedom of exploring.  The Haenertsburg Grasslands, alive with seasonal change, hold a special magic for her. Spring is her favourite time of year, when wildflowers ‘bloom in a riot of colours’. Among them, the chocolate bells are especially treasured as early heralds of spring with a memory etched deeply in her soul.  ‘As the moon cast its silvery glow, I watched the chocolate bells gently sway in the night, their beauty illuminated by moonlight - an unforgettable, almost otherworldly sight that touched my soul deeply.’

Flo Fay, with her free spirit and insatiable curiosity, shares much with her creator. Both are deeply connected to the land, eager to see families walking the Louis Changuion Trail and discovering the grassland flowers. Grounding the fiction in real places was essential for Ronel and she credits historian and hiker Louis Changuion as well as wildflower guide author Sylvie Kremer-Kohne for opening the grasslands to curious minds.  The book also honours the work of FroHG (Friends of the Haenertsburg Grasslands), encouraging children to value and protect nature. But she never forgets about the magic… carefully placing a shrinking well, fairy door and Gnome Aldon’s farm along real trails, sparking curiosity. 

Ronel treasures a moment when she met a little girl who had walked the route the previous day. ‘I told my family that fairies do exist  - we saw the fairy well, and the secret door!’ ‘In that moment, I felt a surge of joy,’ she says. ‘That’s all I ever truly wish for: families wandering these paths, discovering magic together as their imagination is ignited by little secrets and stories they craft themselves. That’s the true magic - to inspire wonder in every walk and to turn ordinary moments into lifelong memories.’  These touchpoints give children a map to create their own stories.

To her surprise, the book has resonated strongly with grandparents, who buy copies from Haenertsburg shops and restaurants as inspiration and keepsakes for their grandchildren. But although its reach has extended far beyond Haenertsburg, finding readers from Canada to Thailand, the soul of the story remains rooted in the village.  And as for Flo Fay and Wybie? Ronel hints that their adventures are far from over. She plans to spend time with them again soon… experiencing their stories and soaking in their spirit before pouring those magical moments onto the page for all to share and ensuring that the wonder of the Haenertsburg Grasslands endures for generations to come.