LIMPOPO – A real man never quits – this is the strong belief that keeps Mokete Vicas Sekgobela (30) from Ga-Molepo, Sekgweng, going.
Sekgebela is the author of the book Rising up from failure to success.
The aim of the book is to encourage and motivate the public about the setbacks, hardships and disappointments they experience by telling them they can overcome it and become a better person.
Sekgobela is a third-year student at the University of South Africa (UNISA) studying towards a LLB degree.
“My passion for writing started when I was still at secondary school. Every time Nelson Mandela delivered a speech, I would write down whatever he conveyed. I did not know this would turn into something great like being an author. Earlier this year I took a pen and paper and just started to write and that is how it all began.”
He says he grew up with family values teaching him to be humble and respect other people. “Like any other child, I got into some mischief. Life was simple; we never thought of doing any criminal activities because our parents taught us not to,” Sekgobela explains.
When he was growing up, Sekgobela says there was no running water in his village and he would travel long distances with a wheelbarrow to fetch water from the river. “Sometimes we would go to school with bare feet in winter, but we never complained because we thought that maybe this is how things should be. To eat bread with atchar was a luxurious thing. Every time I saw someone from my age group succeeded, I felt inspired and motivated, if they could do it, why couldn’t I? Every time I saw someone from a disadvantaged family accomplish great things, I always told myself that nothing is impossible,” he adds confidently.
He reveals the late Ezekiel Mphahlele was one of his favourite authors. “His struggled to get an education and the setbacks he experienced in his career made me realise that if you are determined to make a success of yourself, you can. I want to write as many books as possible, become the best writer in the country and establish my own publishing company.”
