Young author makes his mark
At 29 years of age Mzolisi Mavimbhela, a social worker from George, has written and published two books of Xhosa poems and folktales. Mavimbhela says his inspiration comes from the ordinary lives of his people and their socio-economic conditions and his books seek to inspire and encourage those who have lost hope in life.
Mavimbhela originally comes from Port St Johns (Emampodweni) in the Eastern Cape, where he completed high school. He did his Bachelor of Social Work at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and is currently doing his Masters.
Mavimbhela started writing as a hobby and decided to go professional after his high school teachers convinced him that he has talent. "I love reading Xhosa poetry and, most importantly, I love writing about my culture.
“I review a number of Xhosa books and I identify gaps in the Xhosa literature which I then try to fill," says Mavimbela. He has published a number of poems and has also self-published a book called Zezani na ezi zililo? and Chosi Chosi Ntsomi. In between studying for his Masters, the hard-working young man is also working on publishing his first novel.
"I am grateful for all the support I have received so far. But as a young author, I feel like there's more that the government and other organisations can do to support young writers who write in their native languages and to encourage the love of reading among the youth," said Mavimbela.