Family Physician and Senior Lecturer at WSU’s Department of Family Medicine, Doctor Madeleine Muller has published a thrilling crime-fiction novel set in one of South Africa’s Most notorious districts, the Cape Flats.
The book, titled Runnin’ on the Flats, follows the story of two 15-year-old superhero twins, Mila and Bonnie, who are co-opted by a policeman, Fazel Visagie, to help track down and save the life of a youth on the run.
The story also touches on the many ills for which the Cape Flats area is known throughout the world, which include drug cartels and violent gang activities.
“Dan Pinnock wrote an excellent book called “Gang Town”, regarding the political history of the Cape Flats and the plight of the youth living there. The pervasive influence of gangs is built on the historical inequities of our past and is still having a huge impact on these communities. This story highlights some of its challenges and issues,” said Muller.
By profession, Muller is a devoted family physician in the employ of Cecelia Makhiwane Hospital, as well as a Senior Lecturer at Walter Sisulu University, in the department of Family Medicine. Her interests include adolescent care and sexual health, as well as rural health service delivery.
When Muller’s two teenage daughters were still toddlers, she started writing them stories each year for their birthdays, which were mostly inspired by bestselling children’s Author, Enid Blyton. By the time they were teenagers, they had become fanatics of science fiction, particularly from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is known for blockbusters like Captain America, Spiderman, and the Avengers.
This is where the inspiration for Muller’s later birthday dedications, and subsequently Runnin on the Flats stemmed from.
“We had become huge fans of Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I decided to attempt a new genre. I had joined the Emonti Creative Writing circle, a local group facilitated by Jen Moorcroft, and with their support I wrote Runnin’ on the Flats,” she said.
Muller insists on keeping the twins’ superpowers a surprise for the reader, but shared that one has ebony black skin, while the other is pearl white.
Runnin on the Flats was published in August of 2021, with collaborative effort from Muller’s 15-year-old daughter, Coral, who illustrated the cover of the book as well as five inside ink drawings.
The novel was published both through Burble in South Africa and Amazon internationally (both kindle and paper book versions). Paper copies will be available in East London in the following local shops: Chintsa Deli, Tea-in-the-Trees, The Tin Deli, Sama-Sama and the African Book connection.
Copies are also available directly from the author at R100, and interested readers can contact her on 0741028137 or via Instagram at @drmadmuller.
- Yanga Ziwele