POLOKWANE – Nephalama hails from Ha-Makuya in the Vhembe district and his book, When Caterpillar turns into Butterfly is a hit.
Khuthadzo always wanted to be a radio broadcaster or journalist, this was motivated by listening to his uncle, Humbelani Nengovhela who was a journalist at Phalaphala FM at that time, but due to financial constraints, his dream had to take a back seat.
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He grew up a church boy, playing many instruments in church, and learnt to go all out to look for small jobs in order to get pocket money to buy new clothes for Christmas. He said he started writing at a very young age, writing songs and poems at school.
“This is my second book and I have made writing a career, since I have established a book publishing and printing company. I was motivated by my past experience and painful childhood. I grew up under the care of my grandmother. We were poor and it was evident to everyone that even my fellow learners at school would tease me because of my worn-out school uniform and cracked lips that represents hunger,” said Nephalama.
He said he was motivated by Joel Oesteen and Joyce Meyer, because they write books about personal development and motivation.
“Writing to me is an escape from mental stress, it gives me peace of mind when I pour my emotions onto paper. Now, I write to motivate others and it has become my primary source of income, as it has opened so many doors and helped me escape from the jaws of poverty,” he said.
He told BONUS that the challenges he face every day are criticism and lack of support.
“Local people don’t like reading local books, they always have something to point out and compare local writers to those abroad. I survive by writing for not only a local, but international market,” he concludes.
