An author, Mzolly Mavimbela, from Ngxongweni location in Port St Johns, came home with two awards, after he won in a pair of categories in the South African Literary Awards, in Johannesburg, recently.
He received these awards for his two Xhosa books, titled KugqitywaKuhlwile Zibonwe Liwuhlabile, which is a collection of short stories and Amazwembe-zwembe ka Gxuluwe, which is a novel.
He said it was not his first success at this awards ceremony, as last year he won with his book, Masibuyele Embo Konakele Phina?
“I then decided to enter these two books that I also published in 2021.
“I was shocked and happy at the same time because I did not expect this. It is nice to see that there are people who take your work seriously,” said Mavimbela.
He said he chose to use the Xhosa language because he is very proud of his languages, isiXhosa and isiMpondo.
Mavimbela added that when using his language, it is easier for him to express himself.
He added that interestingly, one of the youngest authors, Owethu Ndlakuse (6) for whom he edited the book titled Mholweni Igama Lam ngu-Owethu, was shortlisted for children’s literature in the competition but unfortunately, she did not win.
“The author of Intlungu Yevezandlebe’s Novel, Yamkela Ntwalana, for whom I also edited, was among the winners in the novel category, while Bafana Charles Peter, author of Umkhumezelo volume 1 and volume 2, which I also edited, won under the poetry category.”
He said he would like to encourage esteemed and upcoming writers to partake in initiatives like these since these provide a platform to acknowledge ditinguished and trailblazing authors.
His immediate future plans are to concentrate on studying for his PhD in Anthropology.
