Local author Bilqees Hassen brought stories, spice and sisterhood to the spotlight recently as the much-anticipated launch of her book, ‘Springrolls & Saturdays,’ was hosted at MiHa, at the Golden Point Padel Club in Raslouw. The event blended storytelling with soul food, also featuring inspiring talks from Mas’ooda Varachia (Forbes 30 Under 30) and owner of Yobuningi, Shameem Baksh, lighting up the evening with wit, wisdom and powerful reflections on womanhood, ambition and community. Media personality Zaki Bhika kept the crowd enthralled during a live interview with the author, turning the conversation into an unforgettable mix of humour and emotion. The evening wrapped up with a joyful book signing, filled with photos, hugs and signed copies.
Guests roll with laughter at Golden Point as Bilqees shares golden smiles… launching ‘Springrolls & Saturdays’ book
Golden Point Padel and Miha Eatery was full of aroma recently as local personalities and readers gathered to celebrate the launch of Erasmia based, Bilqees Hassen’s newest book release, ‘Springrolls and Saturdays.’
The venue on Baard Road in Raslouw, was abuzz with energy, a blend of nostalgia, laughter and the mouth watering aromas that perfectly matched Bilqees book’s theme of family, food and community.
The event was also attended by two local powerhouse women. Masooda Varachia (Forbes Under 30 Achiever) who spoke about ambitions and the importance of owning ‘our stories,’ while Shameem Baksh, owner of Yobuoningi, shared her entrepreneurial journey with honesty and humour.
Both speakers, together with Bilqees, left the audience inspired and fully in the spirit of the night.
The highlight of the event was the live interview with media personality Zaki Bhika, who brought charm, boldness, and perfect comedic timing. Zaki asked the right questions, the kind that made the room laugh, hold its breath, and whisper, “She’s talking about my auntie!” Moments of real emotion and relatable humour kept the audience fully engaged from start to finish.
Guests enjoyed an evening overflowing with delicious food, conversation and classic community banter, a true reflection of the book’s heart. Laughter echoed throughout the venue as readers shared stories, compared characters to real life relatives, and embraced the warmth of familiar culture.
The event closed with an enthusiastic book signing, with guests lining up for a personal moment with the star of the night, Bilqees. Smiles and snapping photos with Bilqees, Masooda, Shameem and Zaki were the order as the event ended for the night. Bilqees, a 22 year-old fifth-year medical student from Erasmia and also the author of Samoosas & Sundays, which launched last year, told the Laudium Sun, “Writing has always been my creative sanctuary, a gentle escape from the intensity of medical school and a lifelong passion born from growing up surrounded by books. Through my stories, I hope to give young girls, especially South African Indian girls, characters and narratives that feel like home: humorous, culturally rich, and grounded in our traditions and lived experiences. I’m honoured to have shared the evening with extraordinary women such as Mas’ooda Varachia (Erasmia), a Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee, CEO of USS Raven, model, entrepreneur, tech innovator and business leader; and Shamim Bakhsh, founder of Yobuningi and the South African director of the Ladli Foundation Africa. The evening was a celebration of women shaping the future, a reminder of what becomes possible when creativity, purpose, and community come together. Looking ahead, I hope to continue writing stories rooted in Indian culture while expanding into a more global space. My focus will always be on creating books that people love to read, that offer joy, comfort, and representation. My greatest dream is to inspire a love for reading in children, because literature opens the mind, deepens imagination, and truly transforms the way our cerebral cortex experiences the world.”
Zaki Bhika told the Laudium Sun, “With its mix of storytelling, humour, powerful women, and mouth watering food, the ‘Springrolls & Saturdays’ launch was more than an event, it was a celebration of community and the stories that shape us.’
