Women launch books

In a historic gesture, Dzuvha Publishers recently launched two books from two authors, Handbook of my Life by Mutsitsielwa Tsitsy Mureri and Ntakule - Tshililo Tsha Tsiwana Muhumbuloni-Matshilisanoni by Bridget Mugivhi-Ramaite. The launch took place at the Thulamela Main Library.

Several dignitaries in literary circles, including Mr Malose Lekganyane (Polokwane Literary Fair), Humbelani Netshandama, Maano Tuwani (Guyo Book Service) and Mpho Muthubi, attended the event.

The books were launched as part of The Ink Conversations, which is Dzuvha Publishers' literary brainchild, where authors interact with readers and literature lovers.

“We want to turn book launches into reading spaces and platforms of conversations instead of lecturing to people,” Dzuvha's director, Remani Mulangaphuma, said. “This is an exciting moment when hard work finally reaches fruition. Like a new mother who has just given birth, the fruits are now visible and readers can now come and milk wisdom and knowledge from the books we are launching today.”

Ntakule – Tshililo Tsha Tsiwana Muhumbuloni-Matshilisanoni is a translation of Lift me up – A cry of a psycho-social orphan (Vhakololo Press, 2016). The author, Bridget Mugivhi-Ramaite, said: “Ntakule 's translation dispelled the self-defeating belief system I used to hold that it was difficult to write in my mother tongue. I'm now motivated to write in Tshivenda and translation to other languages can be done thereafter. Ntakule is such a child-friendly book that even a seven-year-old child who is able to read Tshivenda can benefit from the self-help guidance provided therein.”

Speaking of Handbook of my Life, which is a collection of poems, Mutsitsielwa Tsitsy Mureri said her poems sought to motivate and inspire the readers. “They project my view of the world while bearing in mind that poetry is a reality and not fiction,” she said.

As if to attest to the viewpoint that poetry reflects reality, after reading some love poems, she read a poem dedicated to Portia Rasilavhi, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend last year. The rendition brought tears to the eyes of almost all people in the Thulamela Main Library's hall.

Mr Malose Lekganyane said that the Polokwane Literary Fair was a project of national, and even international, significance in that they were always willing to assist and help in any literary projects or movements. “You are welcome to come and exhibit your books during the annual fair and other events which we host,” he said. “We can still do more than that for you, provided you give us an idea of what you want to do and achieve.”

Entertainment - Date: 12 January 2018

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]