I am Onkeme Letshwiti an author from Botswana and here is my story…
I was not born with a silver spoon. My story begins not with the luxury of comfort, but with the humility of struggle. Growing up in Botswana, my early years were marked by challenges that forced me into the workforce soon after high school. Though I was admitted to the University of Botswana for a diploma in Business and Accounting Studies, I couldn’t register because I lacked P95—a mere seven dollars. Instead, I entered the banking industry, starting as a shop assistant and eventually working at Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic Bank. While others advanced through formal education, I learned from life, and unknowingly, life was preparing me for a higher calling.
My journey into writing began not with ambition but with divine interruption. In 2008, by God’s grace, I surrendered my whole self to Christ. That single decision altered everything. I began reading voraciously—books like Rich Dad Poor Dad, Heaven is So Real, and Good Morning, Holy Spirit. For a year, I consumed literature like a man starved. But just as suddenly, the passion to read faded. Confused, I later realized it was a divine redirection—from reading to writing. My newfound faith drove me to journal my insights, prayers, and personal revelations.
I wrote letters, devotionals, and later, entire manuscripts. My first book was published in 2013—Daily Devotions and Prophetic Words through our newly founded Lp Publishers. But before that triumph came heartbreak. One of my earliest manuscripts was rejected outright by a bookstore manager who didn’t even look at it. I had spent our last P100 to print it. I walked home crushed. But my wife, Dineo, asked me a question that changed everything: “Was it the bookstore manager or God who called you to write?”
That question anchored me. Dineo has always been my unwavering support, the quiet force behind my resolve. From placing framed copies of my books in our dining room to reminding me of God’s call, she has carried this dream with me. Our children—Shalom and Shammah, —are my constant motivation. I write to leave them a legacy of faith and perseverance.
My calling wasn’t validated by credentials at first, but by calling. I lacked the formal training most writers boast of. English was not my strength. I had no editors. But I had conviction. Over the years, God honored that. Today, I hold a Bachelor’s in Biblical Theology, a Master’s in Theology and Religious Studies, and a Ph.D. in Divinity.
In between, I became the founder and bishop of It Is Well Church International, a radio and television preacher, a spiritual life coach, and an author of over 30 books and more than 60 church manuals. I’m also the director of African University of Excellence and Pre-Ace Ventures. Through Lp Publishers, I have helped other authors from Botswana, Zambia, and Swaziland publish their books.
But this journey was never smooth. I vividly remember nights standing barefoot on the cold tile floor, writing with frozen toes just to stay awake. Sleep was a luxury I couldn’t afford. I slept four hours a day, often starting my rest at 5 or 6 a.m. I endured those conditions because writing was no longer a hobby—it was a divine assignment. My books were birthed in sacrifice.
And then came the storm. Our home was burglarized, and every device containing my manuscripts and files was stolen. I was shattered. I gave up. I turned to business, convinced that writing was not my path. But one day, I visited the printing house that used to produce my books. A staff member recognized me and asked why I had stopped. I shared the painful story, and he smiled, saying, “Don’t worry. We have backups of all your books.” Just like that, the dream was resurrected.
That moment was a reminder: what God ordains, He sustains. From that point, I committed more deeply to the writing ministry. I began speaking at conferences like the 2023 Liit Africa event, where I taught on “Leading Yourself Before Leading Others.” I spoke about being predestined, unstoppable, and divinely purposed—principles not just for leadership, but for writers.
My journey also taught me that writing is not just about the words; it is a legacy. Books are mantles. They carry purpose. My book Become Successful Today wasn’t just about success; it was a scripture-led guide born from struggle, loss, and restoration. Writing has allowed me to serve others, to preach through pages, and to inspire people far beyond my pulpit.
Today, I am proud to say I am a certified spiritual life coach, a transformation trainer, a recognized member of COSBOTS(music regulatory board), and a recipient of the Transformational Leader of the Year award by the African Writers Tribe. But my greatest honor remains being a vessel used by God.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether your story matters, let me tell you: it does. I started with a pen, an exercise book, and a deep sense of calling. That calling sustained me through rejection, burglary, and long winters of doubt. And if I can do it, so can you. Because every great story starts with a willing heart and a faithful pen.
