Mphiwa Thomas Puka, an author from Klopperpark, celebrated the release of his debut book titled Bonolo dedicated to his village of Pankop.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni writers promote the culture of writing books and selling

Thomas is also the chairperson and founding member of the Klopperpark Football Club, which was founded in 2017.

The book is written in his home language of Setswana.

Throughout the book, he touches on topics such as GBV and divorce while taking readers through the journey of a young boy Bonolo who just had his last conversation with his aunt on her dying bed.

Bonolo grew up in the village where he became a successful and respected teacher.

He was blessed with two children.

“Bonolo never had it easy growing up. His aunt said something to him before she died. He was 10 years old at the time and over the years that message would shape the course of his life,” said Thomas.

“In the black communities, there is the belief that we have to carry out the last wishes of our loved ones.

“Bonolo was instructed by his aunt that ‘when he shows up, hold each other’s hands so you can both prosper’ and this was the message that he never understood,” he said.

“How could he? He was a child. When Bonolo was now 35 years old his brother showed up.

“He was a homeless man. Bonolo, as his name suggests, was an easy-going person so he welcomed his brother into his home.

“They lived together but Bonolo’s wife did not like the idea so they moved out leaving Bonolo’s brother behind,” said Thomas.

ALSO READ: Writers 2000 presents meeting with Amanda Kai

“Two years after he moved out, his life was disrupted. He lost his teaching job and his wife divorced him. He visited a traditional healer who then reminded him of his aunt’s last words.

“When he returned to his brother, his life started to change for the better again.”

The book then moves over to GBV as his ex-wife is then killed by her boyfriend.

Through the chapters of the book, he recognises the SOS Children Village organisation, which played a huge role in his childhood.

He said the organisation used to support the community with food parcels, school uniforms, clothes and stationery amongst other things.

“I took the first copies of the book to show to my local chief and the SOS leaders. This book was dedicated to them and they loved it,” said Thomas.