Vinoliah holds listners spellbound

A resident of Tshisaulu village near Thohoyandou, Vinoliah "Snow Vinoh" Tshifhango, fell in love with writing poems, essays, plays and short stories from as early as the age of 12. She said that there was a voice inside her, telling her to write.

She always amazed her educators at Liivha Combined School with her writing ability, so that some of them had encouraged her to keep reading and writing. She demonstrated oratory skills as well, keeping her listeners hungry for more of her words.

Some years after taking up the pen as writer in the village of her birth where she acted out the role of Tshedza Reading Club leader, Vinoliah registered for a national diploma in journalism with Jeppe College in Gauteng.

“I wanted the fundamental skills of a media practitioner, with more focus on multi-media, so that I can practise on a variety of media platforms,” she said. “I graduated in 2015 and soon after I secured a slot on Vhembe FM where I served as host for the 'Ndilo-muthathe at Vhembe FM' between 10:00-13:00 on Monday-Friday. I also do 'Ndededzi na Zwidade' on Saturdays between 09:00-10:00.”

She was inspired by radio hosts such as Rotenda Mangoma, Murendeni Muhali and Hulisani Phosiwa Muloiwa. “ Rotenda and Hulisani possess greater skills as radio show anchors,” she said. “I look up to them as a young presenter and get knowledge, wisdom and skill.”

As lead facilitator for Tshedza Reading Club, Vinoliah keeps the children's minds active through monitoring and moderating their reading. She also teaches them creative writing.

“I love spending time with kids because they are our country's future,” she said. “I teach them to read and write. I also do audio recordings of some stories with them. Trust me, the children demonstrate amazing story-telling talent.”

Vinoliah told Limpopo Mirror that she had found her purpose for living in the small projects she found herself doing, such as reaching thousands of Vhembe FM's listeners through the radio medium, and working with children in a reading club. “We need to acknowledge the days we have here on earth and make life easier and enjoyable for ourselves,” she said.

Entertainment - Date: 24 March 2019

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.

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