Some Somizi secrets revealed
glaringly bold aesthetics of the pocket-size book encapsulates Somizi Mhlongo’s demeanour to the tee; the book cover’s gold fonts and glossy pages scream super splendiferous.
The child star compares his life in and outside of show business to a game of dominoes. He also tells a hilarious tale about how the book title came about which perpetuates the stereotype that “English is indeed a complicated language”.
The memoir peels off the glamour we have come to know Mhlongo for as he delves into his dusty Soweto childhood, grieving for beloved family members and close industry friends, the dreadful court appearances during the alleged rape case and how he lost everything he had worked so hard for.
Although it’s loaded with emotional moments, Lesley Mofokeng managed to capture Mhlongo’s energy and aura in delivering a light-hearted memoir.
Mhlongo’s spirit of perseverance is the single thread that ties the book together.
There’s a page for an ordinary black child, any member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual or intersexual community, or anyone with a dream. Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit is uplifting, a tad humorous and a page-turner.
The unfiltered and at times blunt persona that Mhlongo is might make people think the memoir is a cutthroat-tell-all book.
But I was pleasantly surprised as there was no malicious character bashing and no unnecessary big controversial reveals that will leave jaws hanging. Flipping through the pages, I discovered titbits of Mhlongo’s journey he has managed to keep under wraps until Dominoes. So much for being “over-exposed”. The dominoes have now fallen and Mhlongo is a household name. We will be on the lookout f o r the sequel. In light of Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit, the sequel should be nothing short of a “wuuu shem”. – Tshediso Makhele
There’s a page for an ordinary black child, any member of the LGBTI community, or anyone with a dream.