A resident of Lutomboni village in the Nzhelele Valley, Mr Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula, is in joyous mood. He was one of the people who received an award during the 18^th South African Literary Awards held at the North West University Auditorium in Potchefstroom last Tuesday. Tshindane was presented with a certificate, a trophy, and a R50,000 prize during the ceremony.

The book that made him the winner is his latest publication, “Hone hu tshi tea u maliwa nga vhugai”. The book was published in June last year. During an interview with him, Tshindane said that he was delighted by the fact that his novel was enjoying recognition countrywide. He again said that winning the prize was testimony to the fact that he was one of the best authors in the country.

He revealed that he was in the process of translating the book into English. He was confident that the book would win international awards as soon as the translation process was completed.

In the book, Tshindane tries to address the confusion many people face because of their failure to draw a line between traditional and western marriages. Some of the problems he tries to address in the book include parents who demand exorbitant fees for lobola from grooms-to-be as if they are selling their daughters.

Last week’s award was the second for Tshindane within the space of 12 months. Tshindane was named the winner during the launching ceremony of the Alkebulan Authors’ Platform that was held at the Protea Hotel Marriot in Polokwane in December last year.

Tshindane has promised his followers a new book, which is expected to be available in bookshops early next year. Some of the books that Tshindane published before “Hone hu tshi tea u maliwa nga vhugai” include “Na rine ri vhathu” and “Ndi mushumo u ne kha lino ndi khou Lilesa”.