When the GCN first met Lebea Sekhala, from Roodekop Extension 23, he was preparing to release his first book.
The Northern Sotho book Nnete, Maaka Le Boradia (Truth, Lies and Deceit) was inspired by service delivery protests and was the realisation of a lifelong dream for Lebea.
However, it was not the end of his time with the pen – he has released a book of poetry (also in Northern Sotho) titled Kgoka didiba Mphato o Tswele and an English novel titled Ties that Bind.
Lebea chose to self-publish once again.
“Kgoka didiba Mphato o Tswele is a 50-page book filled with my original poetry.
“This is my first attempt at poetry,” he said with a smile.
“I just woke up one morning filled with the urge to write a poem and then one led to another, led to another and so on.”
Though Lebea’s poetry book was published first, he began writing his English novel before he began writing poetry.
“I woke up at midnight one night, not long after the first book had been released, after what can only be described as a vision.
“I got up scribbled the title down and went back to sleep,” he said with a laugh.
“This book took some time to finish, so much so that I wrote the poetry book in the middle of writing the book.
“During the process I even asked God what I was meant to write about. I was given the title but did not know how
I should fill the book.”
He began work on the book and managed to write two chapters before progress came to a halt.
“I was stuck with just two chapters for months,” he admitted.
During a chance visit from a former Unisa invigilator he found his inspiration.
“While she was waiting she saw the manuscript lying on my desk and asked to read it.
“After she had read it she came to me and said it is a very emotional and powerful story she cannot wait to read.”
“From that moment I was filled with inspiration and ideas.”
Eleven chapters later and his book was finished.
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Lebea, who prides himself on telling African stories, describes his new book as a spiritual book that can be read along with a bible as it contains bible verses, which deal with spiritual welfare.
When asked why he decided to write this book in English, after releasing his first in Northern Sotho, Lebea said: “I don’t want people to feel left out.
“People have asked me to translate my first book so they can read it but I don’t want to do that.”
Lebea hopes the reader will learn something new when reading his book.
“I don’t want someone to pick up my book, read it from cover to cover and learn nothing.
“I want them to learn something new on each page that they can share with others in their everyday life,” he said.
When asked what the future holds for him Lebea said he aims to continue writing. He wants to focus on Northern Sotho and English before maybe branching into other languages as he speaks 11 of them.
Lebea continues to draw inspiration from a newspaper cutting he saw on the wall at his first post when he was a security guard.
“I was posted in Heidelberg and there on the wall was a newspaper cutting showing footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints and other times only one and the words were a conversation between a man and God.
“The man asked God why when there were difficult times there was only one set of footprints whereas in good times there were two sets. God replied that it was because he had carried the man through the hard times.
“This stuck with me and I believe to this day that I am able to accomplish all I do thanks to God,” he said.
Lebea hopes to be an inspiration to young writers who hope to publish their own stories.
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