BLOEMFONTEIN: Avid reader and book collector Charles Raphoto has anchored his deep love, authoring and publishing Still Standing. He launched the book in fine style with young violinist Neo Motseki performing as he narrated the culmination of the journey.
The launch was hosted in the Muse at the Sand du Plessis Theatre.
In the book Raphoto reflects on his life’s journey and experiences that shaped him, including the origin of his love for books, which inspired the fire to pen and publish his first-ever book.
“My very tumultuous life was the inspiration. However, the immediate inspiration came from hearthside discussions held at a farm retreat in Pietermaritzburg,” said Raphoto.
“Seven of my friends and I were sitting around the fire, and our discussions led to the realisation that we shared deep scars beneath the veneer of accomplishment. This prompted me to work on my own healing through writing down my thoughts, which ultimately turned into Still Standing to help others navigate their own healing.”
He is delighted to have managed to release the book after some years of introspection.
“It took technically seven years, but the purposeful completion of the manuscript this year took 160 hours.”
Residing in Bloemfontein, Raphoto revealed finding joy in reading, and the importance thereof, had been fostered at a tender age at his home in Soweto.
“My second eldest sister, Mamedupi Patience Maisela, from my nuclear family was a librarian, and she encouraged me to read. I was also always told that my late father, Marks Mareka Raphoto, had been an avid reader. He died when I was seven. I guess I wanted to be like my father,” said Raphoto.
Raphoto said he drew inspiration from authors like John Maxwell, Noam Chomsky, Steve Biko and Robin Sharma.
“The first step was slow, reluctant. But then, the power of words. The profound healing I found in writing my story. It transformed from a coping mechanism into a lifeline. My words, appearing on the page, growing stronger.
“And then, the incredible realisation: Helping others was a pathway to my own healing.
“This led to Coach I AM. My work with the Bloemfontein Golden Ladies Football Club. Juxtaposing my past struggles with this newfound ability to guide and inspire. To show others the power to change, to choose differently.”
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