Lutendo Mudzanani narrates her painful past

“Be so good that whenever you are not around, they feel your absence.”

These words were spoken by Lutendo Mudzanani from Khubvi outside Thohoyandou, who launched her first book, A scar of a healed wound, last month.

The 29-year-old Mudzanani explained that pain motivated her to write the book. “I realized that I was broken inside and the only way to heal was to tell my story,” Mudzanani said. “The book is about my life and some of the experiences that left me with emotional scars, hence the name of the book. The book also outlines some of the experiences that left me broken, but I was able to pick up the pieces and move on with my life.”

Mudzanani told Limpopo Mirror that some of her scars were the result of being sent away to stay with relatives, losing her dad at an early stage and being emotionally abused by people close to her. “I was sent to stay with the relatives, so that I could look after my cousin’s baby. I was playing the nanny role and I never liked it. Every time I was the one to be blamed when something went missing at home,” Mudzanani said. “Losing my dad was the most painful experience I've ever encountered, and the worst part is that I didn't get a chance to see him before he died, because I was not staying at home, but all my siblings did.”

When asked why she wrote the book, she said: “I aim to touch and help those people who are suffering in silence. There are a many people who got abused and never talked about it. You should never suffer in silence. I want to see women standing up for themselves against abuse and anything that doesn't feel right with them.”

She is the founder of the Nga-Lutendo foundation, which aims to create better lives for less fortunate school children in rural areas. “I want to provide a hygienic environment for schoolgirls during their monthly periods and to ensure that no girl-child misses school every month,” she added. “I also want to offer educational advancement opportunities for learners and create more educated communities. It has always been my passion and dream to help others who are in need. I want to bring positive change in the lives of young people."

The 86-page book was published by Netbing Publishers. Those interested in the book can reach her on 076 839 5425 or [email protected]. 

Entertainment - Date: 23 November 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.

Email: