‘Perspective’ is a life handbook
‘Perspective’ is a book written by Nompendulo Shabangu.
“Perspective offers one an invitation to transcend in order to gain an aerial view of the landscape of life, while simultaneously appreciating the undeniable propinquity of our lived experiences,” explained Shabangu.
She is of the view that once people visit the proverbial skies in order to gain greater clarity when the storms of life hit, then they will know to return there through every turbulent event. In December 2019, she went on a scenic flight that forever altered her perspective on life and its occurrences. This was the flight journey that literally birthed her book. “It was during that journey when God gave me the word, “Transcendence.”
‘’I subscribe to a concept called OneWord365 which, for your new year’s resolution, encourages that you choose one word to focus on for the upcoming year instead of having countless resolutions you may later forget. So I assumed this was just a usual unique word for that, without knowing that a book project was on the way,” she said.
“Since then I have had a different perspective about life and this became the filter through which I ran every major event in my life. I found myself becoming a commited person in life, from the past, present and future ambitions that I have. This made me to write a book called ‘Perspective’ and allow people to realize the importance of committing to doing anything in life and ultimately change the way they perceive life,” she said.
“Based on our life experiences, we are forced to reflect and appreciate the dividends brought about as a result of transcending, then eventually gain perspective,” she said.
She likes the popular saying by Leonardo da Vinci which says, “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” This keeps her going and provides a meaning of life.
The book was launched last year on February 27th, which is the author’s late father’s birthday. “My late father, Paulus Paris Shabangu has undoubtedly, been one of the most instrumental people in my life. As such, I found it fitting to launch ‘Perspective’ on his birthday. It rained cats and dogs on that day and thereafter, a beautiful rainbow graced us. I considered this a great ending, a sign of approval from above,” she said, noting that the first signed copy was handed to her mother at the launch then all the avid readers followed.
The book was published under Narrative Books, which is also Nompendulo’s printing and publishing company. The book has been well received both locally and internationally. Outside Botswana, the book has sold in Namibia, South Africa, Malawi and Zambia.
“We are almost out of the first print and about to go for a second re-print,” she said. The book is available in Gaborone and Maun, at the Karabo Media & Communication Consultancy office in G-West Phase 1 and The Space, an art gallery in Maun, respectively.
‘Perspective’ is Shabangu’s first book, and she is in the process of writing another book, shortly. She said that she sternly believes in the concept that “writers write” and, therefore given time, she would always be writing multiple books at a time.
The book is targeted at anyone, from children to teenagers to adults. The primary aim of it is to provide hope through the filter of perspective. Everyone on this journey of life needs hope, she said.