Retired teacher becomes first-time author at 79

GQEBERHA – At 79-years-old, a retired teacher, George Maleiba, is proving that it is never too late to follow a dream.

After a lifetime of experiences, he has published his first book – a collection of poems that reflect his memories, heritage and the lessons he has gathered along the way.

Maleiba launched his debut poetry collection, Froetsêllid, at Erica House in Hillside on Saturday, 28 February.

He told PE Express that he published the book, via Shofar Publishing House, towards the end of last year and received his first copies in December.

For Maleiba, seeing the book in print was both exciting and deeply personal.

“The title, Froetsêllid, reflects the mixture in the book,” he explained. “The poems are written in both English and Afrikaans and cover different parts of my life – my childhood, my family, my experiences and also aspects of my heritage.”

The collection contains 60 poems and touches on a variety of themes, from growing up and community life to identity and personal reflections.

Although he has now become a published author, Maleiba said he never originally planned to be a writer.

“I was actually a reluctant writer or poet,” he explained. “I didn’t sit down with a specific time to write. It just happened over time.”

The first poem he wrote was about Dawid Stuurman, a historical Khoi leader. From around 2019, he found himself becoming increasingly interested in poetry and began writing more regularly.

Maleiba spent 27 years working as an English and Afrikaans teacher before retiring about three decades ago. Today, he lives in Hillside, where writing has become part of his daily life.

“I try to write whenever I can,” he shared. “It keeps my mind busy and gives me something meaningful to focus on.”

He is a father of four and a grandfather to 11 grandchildren. While he mostly lives alone, one of his grandsons helps look out for him.

Maleiba believes the book will appeal to a wide range of readers.

“It should be enjoyable for high school learners and adults from all walks of life,” he said. “Some of the poems may be a bit deep for younger children, but there is something in the book for many people.”

A number of the poems draw on Maleiba’s memories of growing up in Salisbury Park, an area that later changed dramatically when residents were forcibly removed during the apartheid-era Group Areas Act between 1965 and 1975.

“I write about those experiences and how our people were removed in those days,” he shared.

Despite the hardships faced by many families at the time, Maleiba remembers aspects of his childhood fondly.

“I had a lovely childhood. I was the oldest of seven children, so I had to help raise my brothers and sisters. It wasn’t always easy, but we managed.”

He attended school in the area before continuing his studies and eventually beginning his teaching career. In 1966, after completing college, he received his first teaching post at St Patrick’s School. Later, following the removals, he taught in Gelvandale and eventually in Bloemendal.

Education remained an important part of his life, and even in retirement, he continued to value reading and writing.

Since publishing Froetsêllid, Maleiba has already written eight new poems, most of them in English. He hopes to eventually publish another collection.

“My current book has 60 poems, but only about 10 are in English. Next time I would like to include more English poems.”

Looking back, Maleiba says becoming an author was something predicted long ago by someone very close to him.

“When I was about 16, my mother told me that one day I would write a book,” he shared. “At the time I was dismissive and didn’t believe her.”

It would take more than six decades for those words to come true.

“It only happened when I was in my seventies,” he said. “But I loved the experience.”

Now Maleiba hopes his story encourages others not to doubt themselves or their abilities.

“To anyone, whether you are young or old, don’t underestimate yourself,” he said. “There is a writer or poet in each of us if we give ourselves the chance.”

He believes creativity is something everyone possesses. “Anyone who can use a pen and paper can write,” he said. “As long as God gives me the strength, I will keep writing.”

Froetsêllid is available for R260. For more information or to purchase a book, contact Maleiba via WhatsApp on 073 547 6716.

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