Floyd Makondo is a 32-year-old author from a village called Nwadzekudzeku, which is on the outskirts of Giyani North.
“I developed an interest in writing when I was very young.
I started by writing on pieces of paper without taking it seriously.”
Vutivi Mahori, another XiTsonga author, motivated him to write a book after he read some of his work, said Makondo.
The name of the book is “Ndzheko wa vutshila” which translates to “a calabash of art”. It is a collection of XiTsonga poetry.
“I named it a calabash of art, because, Ndzheko is a traditional container used to serve traditional beer called “mqombothi”.
“It really feels great to know that the message might bring hope and mean something to someone out there.
“The support that I got from people really humbled me,” he added.
He chose to write in Xitsonga not because it is his home language, but because he wants the Tsonga people to know the importance of language and culture and to encourage them to be proud and not feel inferior to other cultures.
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He hopes that Xitsonga can be taken to a higher level for future generations to benefit from it.
“The title refers to the sweetness of the language that can be “drank from”.
He said the book was published during lockdown which forced him to approach organisations for financial assistance.
He is self-marketing and people interested can contact him on 078 6016 432 or WhatsApp him on 065 678 6091, or find him on Facebook, Floyd Makondo.
The second author, Vicky Manganye of Mavalani village in Mhlanga section in Giyani, says his interest in writing started years ago at Sunday school at the Zion Christian Church.
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“I wrote rhymes for toddlers to rehearse for competitions at Sunday school,” he said.
His first book is called “Timbuva ta vutomi” meaning “Pot of life”.
The second book is called “Vulombe bya rixaka” which means “Honey of the nation”.
“I write in my mother tongue in the hope that it will make people proud of our language.
I want Xitsonga to be recognised like other languages.”
He said writing can be challenging and he sometimes loses hope and confidence when his work is not recognised.
“The book is about life in general and it teaches everything that transpires in life.
The book itself aspires to teach in a poetical way.
“It comforts, chastises, guides and brings people together to live in harmony and love, said Manganye.
People interested can contact him on 078 461 3034, on WhatsApp 067 126 4334 or find him on Facebook, Vicky Nkateko.
