‘Pavement Bookworm’ publishes book
AUCKLAND PARK – Philani Dladla, shows us how success can come from the darkest of places.
To many, Philani Dladla was another homeless boy who could possibly rob them. To them, Dladla would remain a nameless boy who had no ambition nor hopes to prosper. Little did they know that Dladla had dreams of great success.
He has managed to achieve the first of many radical successes as he can proudly state that he is a published writer.
Called the Pavement Bookworm, Dladla got his first book when he was 12 years old from his mother’s employer. He explained that it was then that he got his insatiable need to read even though he went to a rural school that did not expose him to a life of story books.
Fast forward to 22 years later and his life has been forever changed by this desire. At a discussion held at University of Johannesburg (UJ) Dladla, who now has a website, shared how great it is that his life could be documented for others to be inspired by. “This might be a small book, but it shares with the reader all that I have experienced in my life so far,” said Dladla.
He shared that his time spent living under the Nelson Mandela Bridge showed him all the bad that the world has to offer. He recalled how he was exposed to many things. “I wrote journals of all that I experienced and saw on a day-to-day basis,” said Dladla. “I would get back to my spot under the bridge and I would just write.”
This book is a journey of the life he has lead and the sequence of events that led him to this point in his life. He recollected how sometimes he would wake up to find the people who he shared the bridge with, not in a good space or even worse, he would sometimes wake up and find them dead. “Seeing people I had formed relationships with have the worst happen to them, affected me,” shared Dladla. He divulged that even surrounded by poverty and hopelessness, he still had dreams about his success and one day getting off the streets.
“People would look me in the eye and say I am just a waste of fresh air,” said Dladla.
He concluded that this book is a result of his journey, and the people who helped shape it. “Hopefully when people read this book they will understand more about my life.”
The book can be purchased at most retailers.
Details: University of Johannesburg, 011 559 4555.
