The Presidency this week acknowledged her skill by awarding her the National Order of Ikhamanga. The order - symbolised by the Strelitzia plant - was initiated in 2003 and is granted by the president for achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.
Pietermaritzburg-born Naidoo lives in Centurion and has just published a children's book called Emerging Heroes.
She is also working on a novel (yet to be titled) and her autobiography. "So as you can probably tell, I'm able to multitask quite well," she said.
Naidoo holds a doctorate in drama and has published several books and poems, but it was theatre that sparked her interest in literature.
"I spent the years 1977 to 1983 involved in SA Indian Congress and United Democratic Front campaigns, which inspired me to write a number of plays," she said.
Naidoo spent her working life teaching at both primary- and high-school level. She retired 12 years ago. "My life has been pretty simple, mostly because I never married. I guess it just happened that way, which was great for me as a writer."
Naidoo says she spends her time reading, writing and watching the Al Jazeera channel on television as she finds the documentaries fascinating.
"I suppose the biggest challenge for a South African writer is to get published, so I do most of mine myself.
"So my soul is rich, but I live in abject poverty because as anyone in the business knows - it's not cheap," she quipped.
Naidoo is technologically adept. Her website gives details about her works and allows users access to articles and reviews of her work.
For a full list of the National Order of Ikhamanga recipients, see Main Section page 6.
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