Ballito author Sinegugu Mthembu believes the dwindling culture of reading in the country is having a negative impact on emerging writers.
Changing trends also make it difficult for young creatives to break into the literary mainstream.
Author of two novels, The Mind That Often Changes (2020) and its sequel, The Dust Settles (2022), 43-year-old Mthembu cited her own challenges as a new author to gain recognition and a profitable writing career. “The biggest obstacle was getting my book out there, especially because I was unknown,” she said.
“The reading culture in our country is, in my opinion, pathetic. Most people want PDF copies that they did not buy or pay for.”
She said authors should be recognised as much as musicians and actors.
Both Mthembu’s novels reflect a South African love story that touches on themes of heartbreak, betrayal, childhood traumas and forgiveness.
“I intended to tell the stories my way, to let everyone know that love still exists in its undiluted beautiful form,” she said.
Her love for reading and writing was nurtured during childhood and inspired by her aunt, an avid reader. Growing up in her grandmother’s house, she would sit with her aunt and mimic her by turning the pages of a book, even though she didn’t fully understand the words.
“I was nine years old at that time, in Grade 5,” said Mthembu. “Eventually, I began reading with understanding and soon my love for reading developed into a love for writing,”
At 15 she began writing stories in an exercise book.
“Whenever I took a break from writing, my classmates would take turns reading, which hyped me up,” she said.
However, an argument among classmates ended badly when her storybook was thrown into a pit toilet.
“I battled to recover from that because every attempt I made to write after that for some reason simply didn’t work out. I had a mental block which I couldn’t overcome.
“I only resumed writing again more than 20 years later and got my first book published four years ago.”
Mthembu’s books are set in KwaZulu-Natal, specifically in Ballito and surrounding areas, making them relatable to local readers.
Buy them on Amazon, at snekhaya.co.za or directly via WhatsApp at 073 335 1425.
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