Ntombi Ya Mutsonga's book secures her a second award

Multi-award-winning praise poet Masingita Shibambu, widely known as Ntombi Mutsonga from Matiyani village outside Malamulele, has been honoured with an award at the PanSALB Multilingualism Awards for her book “Xewani” in the language and literature category in Xitsonga. The award ceremony, attended by numerous nominees from the nine provinces, took place at the Durban Convention Centre on Friday, 1 March.

This marks the second time she has secured an impressive second place for her notable contribution to literature through her poetry album, released in 2022. Last year, her book also received an award at the AfriCAN Annual Global Honoree Author’s Awards. “Xewani” comprises a collection of 55 Xitsonga poems.

Ntombi Ya Mutsonga's talent and diverse linguistic expression shine through her literary work. The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) honoured her with this award, in line with their commitment to celebrating individuals who promote multilingualism and recognise the linguistic richness found in various backgrounds.

Shibambu expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, "It shows that the work I am doing is making an impact, and receiving this recognition from PanSALB is such a milestone. People can expect more books from me, and I will be launching my second book in May this year."

She has embarked on a journey of a 10,000-Book Drive, through which she has donated books to various schools in different provinces. Her work serves as an inspiration for others, encouraging exploration of the beauty and significance of language in fostering connections across cultures. "I will be working on children's books as well that teach them how to read in their own languages," she added.

Entertainment - Date: 08 March 2024

Thembi Siaga

Thembi Siaga started as an intern during 2021. He assisted with video photography and editing. He also produced numerous small documentaries, focusing on the Vhembe region and its people. Currently he works as a freelance journalist, covering stories in the Elim area.

Thembi studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, where he completed his diploma in Journalism in 2021.

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