MALVERN’S uMsinsi Press recently hosted an informative and exciting second editions book launch for books written in the past 20 years through the Dancing Pencils book clubs.
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“The importance for this launch is to revive the books and make them fresh since they are rich in knowledge and serve a variety life elements for each of us within our society overwhelmed with variety challenges and laziness,” said uMsinsi Press publicist, Ayanda Hlabisa.
Three of the 10 books launched on the day were written in 2013 by Westville Correctional Service Club members, Philani Nzuza, Erickson Khuzwayo and Nkosingiphile Khozawho, who have all since been released.
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Hillcrest-born Philani Nzuza and ex-convict said his book, Awkward Journey to Triumph, tells the inspiring story of Mbusiswa Goba, a humble yet courageous village boy who grew up with a hole in his heart after his father deserted the family and his mother had to take on domestic work to support the family.
“It traces the challenges and the triumphs of his impossible journey through life. First as a ‘father figure’ to his family, then as beloved teacher, mentor and community leader and finally, as a devoted spouse. A tragic story but the moral fibre of this man causes him never to lose hope. This is a bittersweet, awe-inspiring tale,” said Nzuza.
Nzuza has authored another book, Ubogawul’Ubheke, an isiZulu short story book.
Founder of the Malvern publishing house, uMsinsi Press and Dancing Pencils Writing Clubs, Felicity Keats re-launched two of her books: A Piece of Jasper and The Moshaws.
Felicity Keats has been writing professionally for 60 years. In her early years, she turned her life into writing as a freelance journalist and short story writer. She then spent a number of years as editor of the South African Bee Journal. Later she became a children’s author and now has a number of published books to her credit. For the past 27 years she has been teaching all writing forms in a powerful, right brain creative way.
A Piece Of Jasper, is about a young girl, Sally Fays, whose contented peaceful life is thrown upside down when her father marries his business partner who has a clever confident son of Sally Fay’s own age.
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Sally Fay is desperately unhappy with her new brother and her stepmother and goes off her own into the mountains where the San people once lived. It is while she was walking there that she finds a piece of jasper and picks it up unaware at that time that it is an ancient San artefact which connects her with a San family and, in particular, with the lovely young medicine woman, Kamma. Kamma has great wisdom and helps Sally Fay to make the adjustments she needs to be happy,” shared Keats.
The Moshwahs, Is set in a school environment and the Muddleberry Tea is an essential part of the diet of the students at the Moshwah Academy though at the start of the book, characters Mini and Maxi are the only two ‘Moshwahs’ left.
The third author present was highway’s Vera Castleman who launched her two books, Darkest Before Dawn and Full Circle.
She is first and foremost a teacher. Her vocation is touching lives and for last few years she has been teaching children with special needs, just like her fictional character Bandile; and out of this experience, the book, Full Circle was born.
She has written several short stories and novellas for teens including graphic novel, In the Twinkling of an Eye. She is also the author of a delightful series of books for younger children entitled Easter and Della. Added to her writing talent, Vera if also fleet of foot and teaches teaches Ballroom and Latin American dancing.
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