Don't allow poverty to determine your future

An established local author, Khuthadzo Nephalama, has released his third book, When a Caterpillar Turns into a Butterfly, which he expects will captivate readers. 

He grew up at Ha-Makuya and started to write songs and short stories at a very young age. His painful childhood motivated him to write it. "I grew up under the care of my grandmother and the situation was bad. We were poor, and it was evident to everyone that even my peers would tease me for my worn-out school uniform and cracked lips that resembled hunger," he explained.

He even convinced himself that his painful childhood and poverty might be his destiny. "My struggles overshadowed my essence of existence. I lost all hope and missed the important lessons life presented for the longest time. I survived the jaws of poverty," he said.

He believes that his true-life story will inspire others and shed a light on the possibilities, regardless of one’s background. "I present my experiences and lessons as a guide and not a blueprint. Maybe you don’t have to experience it to get the lesson; maybe you can learn from my pain, mistakes and find a way out quicker and easier than I did. For the fortunate who have never experienced poverty first-hand, allow me to hold your hand and show you some of the issues experienced daily by the less fortunate," he said.

His aim is to heal a soul undergoing similar situation of growing up in a painful situation of poverty and unemployment. "I have learned through my experiences that sometimes we delay ourselves by focusing on the pain, comparing ourselves to others and daydreaming of a way out that we miss the golden opportunities and lessons life presents," he said.

"My life was like that of a caterpillar that lost all hope for life. Just when I thought it was over for me, I found new life with greatness, possibilities and promises. Before a butterfly emerges, it starts as a caterpillar, the caterpillar then transforms itself to become a butterfly," he said.

Those interested in the book can phone him on 072 563 0461.

Entertainment - Date: 14 January 2019

Mbulaheni Ridovhona

The 22-year-old Mbulaheni (Gary) Ridovhona has been passionate about journalism to the extent that he would buy himself a copy of weekly Univen students' newsletter, Our Voice. After reading, he would write stories about his rural village, Mamvuka, and submit them to the very newsletter for publication. His deep-rooted love for words and writing saw him register for a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies at the University of Venda, and joined the Limpopo Mirror team in February 2016 as a journalism intern.

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