'My pen is mightier than the sword'

“I came to understand that my pen is mightier than the sword when readers of my poems commented on my unpublished poems and praised me for writing in a way that challenges institutions of power without fear or prejudice.”

Tshitangano Mulamuleli (19), a first-year student doing a diploma in language, majoring in French at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, reflected on her journey as a writer whose voice is quickly gaining momentum in the literary world.

She fell in love with writing, specifically poetry, when she was in Grade 5 at Mutshenzheni Primary School. “My class teacher, Mrs Mukondeleli Musetha, had sown the seed of poetry in my heart when she encouraged us to read as much as we could, and she then embarked on a mission of teaching us to write poems and essays,” she said. “My journey in writing wasn’t that difficult because I used to read a lot of books in different genres and that had helped to lay a vocabulary foundation for me, even when I came to write poems of my own.”

Mulamuleli, who matriculated from Mutshutshu Secondary School at Mutshenzheni village in 2019, had her first poem published, titled Nelson Mandela, which was, of course, a tribute to the late SA state president Nelson Mandela.

“I was to pay homage to this selfless African leader whose leadership skills were amazing,” she said. “I stand strong in the belief and knowledge that more leaders like Mandela are needed in our lifetime.”

A dedicated, passionate youth who loves writing with her whole heart, Tshitangano said that reading had helped her a lot in understanding the correct use of words in sentences. “It has also increased my vocabulary as I learnt more of writing techniques along the way,” she said. “My inspiring words are: ‘Never give up on what you love.’ The sun will eventually rise for each one of us if we only keep doing the good.”

She recently published her first book of poems, titled I Shall Find Light, which was released last month. It contains 90 poems on topics of love, depression, abuse, and heartbreak. “The majority of the poems motivate, and they are a reflection of how I see and respond to the world and what is happening in the world,” she said. “Everyone who is facing challenges in their lives can get this book as it accommodates everyone.”

Tshitangano Mulamuleli is available on Facebook. For book sales, she can be reached on 60 751 0934. I Shall Find Light costs R150.

Entertainment - Date: 21 August 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]