Young EC author inspires

Student known for views on social network writes book

WHEN young Simcelile Rubela started posting his views on social networks, he had no idea it would lead to him taking an active interest in the literary world.

But it did and the Mbizana-born 28-year-old Walter Sisulu University psychology honours student last week celebrated the launch of his self-published first book.

He has also started a publishing company, Tiger Publishing, and has made it his mission to find other upand-coming writers, especially from the Eastern Cape, which he feels is brimming with literary talent but has few publishers to help writers.

Rubela told the Daily Dispatch that he had followed the normal process of registering his company but to carry the costs of printing the book and hiring the services of an editor to go over his copy, he was forced to source funding from family and friends. In the end he managed to raise enough to have around 100 copies printed.

“The whole process [printing copies and paying for an editor] cost around R15 000.”

He said that although he had always loved writing and reading, the idea of putting his thoughts into a book had never crossed his mind.

“It was actually some of the people on social networks who kept on asking why I did not put my ideas into a book. I have read a lot of African literature by the likes of (Chinua) Achebe and (Zakes) Mda. I chose to write a fictional book although I was known more for my politically charged views on social media.”

His book, titled To the Bitter End, follows the story of Betty Dlamini, a young 20-something woman born in Mbizana who enrols at the University of Transkei prior to 1994.

She comes from a poor family and her village is riddled with conflict through inter-village tribal wars.

Her mother has passed away and her older brother was killed in one of the village wars. She is left with her grandmother and younger brother but harbours hopes of empowering herself though education and moving her remaining relatives from the village to a better place.

Rubela said the title of the book was a figurative portrayal of the determination that defined Dlamini.

He said the story was set in the period prior to the first democratic dispensation in 1994 up until 1996.

“I wrote this book for young people. I want anybody who reads it to be motivated to keep going but at the same time I hope people will catch a glimpse of our history [as amaMpondo].” He said the book had been selling well and he was only left with 32 copies.

“I am trying to print more because people have been placing orders through social networks which I have been using as the main platform to promote the book.”

He decided to establish his own publishing company because he felt it was not easy for up-and-coming writers like him to get published.

“I believe there are a lot of writers out there. Maybe they are just not visible due to a lack of knowledge of how the publishing industry works.”

He said he was partnering with the Alfred Nzo district municipality, who would help him with marketing the book but says the district municipality could only do so much in terms of marketing the book. He was thus in the process of looking for an established distribution company.

Alfred Nzo district municipal spokesman Ndabuko Masumpa said they had decided to help Rubela with a launch in his home town on April 29 because they felt he was an inspiration to others.

“We were impressed with the launch he did in Mthatha. He forms part of a group of young people that the district municipality has undertaken to support.

“Our special programmes unit focuses, on among other things, giving support to youth development in various sectors including arts and culture.”