Renowned author Fred Khumalo launches his book in Alex
ALEXANDRA – Fred Khumalo has 15 books under his belt, three of which are written in isiZulu, his home language.
Fred Khumalo launched his new book, Two Tons O’ Fun at the Alex Theatre Company and Academy’s Book Club at Sankopano Centre on April 28.
He conversed about the book with Outlwile Tsipane, who is a writer and literary curator, explaining what the book is about and also clarifying the events in the book.
“I am here to present my latest book which marks my 15th book. Two Tons O’ Fun is a novel set in Alexandra, so I thought it would be appropriate to launch it in Alexandra because the book is speaking to the people of Alex.”
Khumalo explained that the setting of the book is in 8th Avenue, Alexandra, and the main character is a 14-year-old girl who, at first, was not interested in school.
She was adamant that after Grade 10 she would leave school. However, as soon as she met her neighbour, who was a lecturer, and also seeing a lot of challenges across the book, her mindset changed.
“The book has already been read by almost six people within a space of about three weeks, this shows the demand for the book,” Tsipane said
Khumalo said the title of the book is what sells the book and he also shared how he comes up with the titles of his books, including the one in question. “There was a band where two ladies were back vocalists for Sylvester the disco king. They called themselves ‘Two Tons’ because they were proportioned.”
In the book, Lerato, the main character, and her friend are also big girls who started a dancing group which they named Two Tons O’ Fun, and that was how the title came about, Khumalo concluded.
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