A young and upcoming Windmill park writer has taken the initiative to revive the telling of stories in African languages.
Raymond Tzembeyi’s passion for writing has motivated him to write four short stories in Sesotho, that address different perspectives on life.
“As I don’t have a publisher as yet, I keep my stories in a safe place. I would really love to see my stories one day being published and maybe being introduced to the school curriculum.
“I feel like we are doing away with our indigenous languages and that needs to stop. We need to be proud of our languages and learn them accurately so they don’t die out and so that future generations can know who they are.”
Raymond’s love for the Sesotho language began when he was in Grade 10, at Franciscan Matric Project (better known as St Anthony’s), in Reiger Park.
“I enjoyed every piece of literature we did in Sesotho while still in school. Even my Sesotho teacher made the subject fun and easy. To get my writing skills sharpened I started writing essays and short paragraphs in the same level of renowned Sesotho writers.”
Raymond’s favourite book at the moment is Hlwaya Tsebe, by Nhlanhla Maake, who happens to be his Sesotho lecturer at Wits School of Education.
The 19-year-old is a third-year student at the University of Witwatersrand and is studying towards a Bachelor of Education degree.
“I have always had a passion for teaching. I remember back in the days when I would call my peers and we would gather at home and play school.
“I’d always be the teacher and the joy inside my heart when teaching them was immeasurable. I know having achieved five distinctions, people would have expected me to study medicine or engineering, but for me. it’s all about passion and not capability.”
Even though he grew up on the dusty streets of Windmill Park and was the son of a domestic worker, he never stopped dreaming.
“I didn’t have a very jolly childhood. I was raised by a single parent who was a domestic worker. She tried to build a life for us as best as she could.
“My siblings and I have always been seen as insubordinate within the community. I basically grew up not having all I desired, but all I needed. I want to build a better life for myself and my family through my education,” Raymond said.
