Etwatwa resident and self-published author Njabulo Mabanga has shown that perseverance always pays off, and it is evident in his publishing of two books and founding a publishing company.
“My first book is titled Black Child Leave The Township. It was essentially about me bringing attention to the importance of external influences in one’s success or lack thereof,” the 29 year old said.
“I was addressing the importance of us to be able to read and understand the energies we surround ourselves with and how they play a huge role.
“It means leave any bad situations, relationships, friends and environments in general. It is more of a self-help book for those who want to change their lives for the better but do not know where to begin.”
His inspiration was drawn from growing up in a township.
“I realised the number of negative circumstances young people find themselves in, not just socio-economic issues which we are all aware of, but the overall lack of understanding how one’s chosen association or friends and the overall environment plays a huge role in their overall lives.”
His second book is called Stop Being A Nice Guy.
“I saw a lot of people complaining about how people take their kindness for advantage, how being nice has been bad for them or they don’t get reciprocation for their niceness, which is somewhat an experience I share,” he explained.
“I then did brief research about this. I was shocked at the huge number of people complaining about how being nice is bad for them and people use them, underestimate them, get seen as no threat and generally aren’t taken seriously.
“I, therefore, did extensive research and found all the evidence that proved that being too nice is not as good as it is always portrayed.”
When asked by the City Times why he chooses to remain a self-published author, Mabanga said: “I prefer self-publishing fundamentally because I like to control my creativity and my overall work.
“Owning 100 per cent of my IP and royalties is also a huge motivator. Also, being accepted and published by the big publishing companies is not easy and it is also not a guarantee that your book will do well.
“I am already writing a third book as we speak. I guess when passion burns you, it burns you.”
The writer said he writes non-fiction books usually based on socio and psychological matters humans generally face, and philosophy.
“I write about real people’s stories, real problems, and always provide solutions; solutions that may be helpful to those who encounter the same challenges addressed in the book.
“I hold a BA degree in audiovisual communications, majoring in psychology, communications and philosophy. This background fundamentally guides the kind of content I write about. Both the psychology and philosophy disciplines play a massive role in the direction I take regarding not just my books but my blog as well.
“My writing started as a hobby but it has turned into a profession. I also started my own publishing company last year called Titanium Press, where we provide different services to aspiring authors and self-publishers.
“What’s more unique about us is that we are not like traditional publishers: you provide a service and after the service the authors own 100 per cent of their own, are 100 per cent in control of their creative process and they do whatever they want to do with their books.”
He advised aspiring authors to continue persevering.
“Being a writer is not an easy thing, and at times procrastination gets the better of us. Also, the general daily troubles or problems get in the way of properly focusing on writing, but one must always find a way to execute on their tasks whether the conditions allow or not.”
For more information for aspiring authors, visit www.titaniumpress.co.za to talk to Mabanga.
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