Ekta Somera

Ekta Somera is a South African youth activist, author and founder of Paper Trail Literary Journal. She turns visions into reality on a daily basis, bringing books to life, while living her own dream in the publishing industry. Ekta’s books are titled, Made in Poetry and Twenty-Two, each collection encapsulates her journey as she navigates through the complexities of life. Her upcoming collection, Social Misfit, both challenges and heals, encouraging readers to fiercely embrace who they are.

Ekta also plays a crucial role in advocating for policy changes to combat youth unemployment in South Africa. Her insightful opinion pieces on social issues and youth concerns have been widely published, and she has been featured as a panelist on prominent media platforms. Ekta’s dedication to youth development and her drive to inspire young South Africans have garnered her significant recognition, including being named among the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans in 2022, and in 2024, she won the Youth Icon category at the Lotus FM Women of Substance Awards. Her work continues to leave a lasting impact on both literature and social activism.