Young author launches novel
ANCIENT Greek philosopher Epictetus puts it simply and aptly when he said: “If you wish to be a writer, write.”
Everyone has got a story to tell be it heartbreaking, the country’s history, an awareness or a soothing story.
The world as a whole is dotted with great writers; both young and old whose fiction and non-fiction content has touched lives or have been a source of entertainment. African literature has been passed through oral tradition especially during the Neolithic Era.
Then came a generation that saw the emergence of many African writers such as Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and Charles Mungoshi among others, whose writings reflected upon the colonisation era.
Their writings stirred controversies as they were deemed toxic to the people but yet, were a revelation to their freedom.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o was imprisoned in 1977 for the famous play Ngaahika Ndeenda, prominently known as “I will marry when I want,” which was deemed political.
Edward Bulwer Lytton (1839) then says “the pen is mightier than the sword” and indeed it is as the play mobilised the public to fight neo-colonialism.
It is from such revered authors that the art has transcended to titles such as A Tiger in a Secret, that is attributed to 21-year-old Courage Mudingi who launched his first novel at Harvest House International in Bulawayo on 20 August.
The young author, whose novel release was inspired by a simple English language composition 2017, is an educative novel that tells the dark side of keeping skeletons in the closet.
In an interview with Sunday Life, the young author likened keeping a secret in a relationship to keeping a tiger. It is deadly.
“Keeping a secret in a relationship is like keeping a tiger because eventually it will lead to bad circumstances that might actually hurt those that are keeping it,” he said.
The book urges truthfulness in relationships to avoid stirring controversies and arguments when the cat is let out of the bag.
“Writing alone is no child’s play and launching the book is another journey as well,” he said.
The launch was attended by poets, authors and artists who came to witness Mudingi’s achievements.
Among the writers were Philani Amadeus Nyoni who was the guest of honour, Mjabulisi the poet who wrote Survival of the Fittest”, Sibusisiwe S Vundla who wrote the novel Unleashing Power of Faith and Samantha Nomaswazi Nunu author of In the Hawk Clause.
Nunu, who is also a publisher played a pivotal role in the editing and proofing of Mudingi’s novel.
Mudingi said as much as it was a bumpy road, launching a book was one of his greatest goals.
“Every opportunity I had I put the ink on paper, I would write during lunch time, tea break or anywhere as long as I could write, I would,” he said.
He said the launch was a stepping stone as it made him rub shoulders with his favourite writers adding that for one to be a great writer, one must read.
Mudingi said he enjoys reading novels and books as it empowers him and improves his writing skills.
“Some of my favourite authors are Steve Harvey, Authur Marara, Faith Chipangura,
Audrey Chirenje, Marshal Chiza, Noviolet Bulawayo and Philani Amadeus Nyoni,” he said.
He intimated that the Zimbabwean literature could thrive if writers unite and support each other.
“A candle can’t lose its shine by lightning another but instead, there is more light shining in the world hence, let us shine together,” he said.
The young author also urged mature writers to help upcoming writers by showing them the way. —@5_Shannico