With the aim of preserving indigenous languages and literacy development, the Eastern Cape department of sports, recreation, arts and culture handed over freshly published works to another local author on Monday.
Monwabisi Albert Khininda, a 62-year-old writer from Lukhanyiso village in Libode, was handed 90 copies of his book, Ndinje Nje Andizenzanga, by MEC Sibulele Ngongo at her alma mater Bhekizulu Senior Secondary School in Libode, as part of her Back-to-School roadshow.
Ngongo encouraged pupils at the school to write in isiXhosa and other indigenous languages, emphasising their importance in preserving history and cultural identity.
“The Eastern Cape has always been a fountain of literary talent, producing authors such as S.E.K. Mqhayi, Ncedile Saule and Noni Jabavu,” she said.
“If we want to rewrite our history, it starts with people from this province telling their stories in their own languages.”
The 22 selected books cover themes including gender-based violence and resilience, written in Afrikaans, isiXhosa, Sesotho and English.
The department plans to distribute them to public libraries and showcase them at events such as the National Arts Festival and the Social Cohesion Dialogue launch in March.
“We need to reach a point where all languages are valued, recognised, and passed down through generations,” Ngongo said.
Khininda’s book, originally a radio play, was a runner-up in Umhlobo Wenene FM’s #UWFMDrama competition in 2022.
Inspired by its success, he transformed the script into a published work.
“When it came second, I decided to develop the manuscript into a play script.
“I am so excited that the department has published the book for me. The publishers did a good job,” Khininda said.
The book explores the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals in rural areas, highlighting themes of prejudice, assault and the struggles that often lead to substance abuse and sex work.
Khininda, a former financial clerk at a Tsolo hospital, who later worked at a newspaper, has been writing since 2007.
Ndinje Nje Andizenzanga is his sixth published work and he is now working on his autobiography in English.
“I have donated a few copies to the Mthatha library because I want to preserve the isiXhosa language,” he said.
“I hope to encourage young writers to write in their own languages.”
The department selected 22 authors for publication from 191 manuscript submissions in 2024, among them esteemed Xhosa writer, poet, and academic Professor Peter Tshobisa Mtuze, who was honoured at the Eastern Cape Provincial Book Fair in October 2024.
Another recipient, freelance journalist Zavela Makwabe, 37, from Perksdale Mission outside Middledrift, was also a first-time author with her isiXhosa drama “Oxhel’ Eyakhe Akabuzwa”.
“The support from friends and family has been phenomenal,” Makwabe said.
“Very few knew about the book until I made an announcement on Facebook on Thursday last week, a week after fetching them from the department.
“Within 24 hours, I was couriering and hand-delivering my first batch of orders. It felt amazing!”
Makwabe said when she first started writing the manuscript, she had no idea it would be selected.
“I had no idea it would make it to print. I was elated when I found out that my script made it to the province’s top 20.
“I was just giving it a whirl and now here we are.”
Daily Dispatch
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