Radzilani's book was inspired by many cultures

Mukovhe Radzilani is a true writer at heart. He is inspired by the cultures of the many different areas he has lived in, and for that reason many readers will be able to identify with his book Muvenḓa haatu bebwa, which was published recently.

Radzilani was born and bred at Varara village in Nzhelele and now lives at Dzwerani village. He currently studies mechanical engineering at Ekurhuleni East TVET College.

“My love of poetry and writing grew in college,” he said. “I’ve so far written 91 poems, of which 60 are included in Muvenḓa haatu bebwa. It took me three years to write them all.”

The title of his book suggests that a Muvenda is not born a Muvenda but made a Muvenda through life's lessons (culture) and language (idioms, sayings, and proverbs). “The book is about our roots as Venḓa people, and our true language,” he said. “It advises, encourages and rejuvenates the youth to strive for more in life. As much as it teaches us our mother tongue, it also teaches us to be grateful for who we are and what we have. Love, faith, death, poverty, and hard work are mostly highlighted as they form part of our daily lives.”

He learnt that success does not so much depend on intelligence as resilience. “Young people must keep doing what they love to do most, again and again, until they get it right,” he said. “If you were on stage and given the liberty to play any role or part, the best part you can play is yourself. That also applies in real life.”

Readers can buy Radzilani’s book directly from him at R170. Information about the book launch will be communicated soon.

Radzilani can be reached on Tel 076 768 6397 or at [email protected]. He is also available on social media platforms.

Entertainment - Date: 23 April 2021

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]