For many people, writing a book has been a lifelong dream, yet one that’s always seemed just out of reach. Author Lindiwe Nkutha always knew she had a passion for telling stories. In fact, growing up she thought work was where people went to tell stories.
The Weltevreden Park resident’s debut book, 69 Jerusalem Street, was launched via Zoom on the evening of 24 February.
In the book, Lindiwe takes her readers through the lives of people in the township, like the wayward neighbour you vaguely remember seeing every day as a child until the day he vanished, and the face you see every weekend at the local drinking hole but know little about, not even her name.
“My mom always came back home with stories about her colleagues, Constance and Mrs Van. So naturally, I thought work is where you go to tell stories and when you find time then you do the work,” said Lindiwe.
It is interesting though that when the time came for her to choose a career, she qualified and worked as an accountant, but she never neglected her first love of literature.
Her poems and short stories have appeared in a number of journals and anthologies such as Chimurenga and Itch, and recently her debut collection of short stories, 69 Jerusalem Street, has been published by Modjaji Books.
When asked who her favourite character was, she explained, “I am not supposed to have favourites because all of them are my kids,” but then she goes on to describe Rock, a little girl who is innocent, pure and untainted despite having been bitten by a dog and losing both her legs as a result.
“Rock is not bitter though because she figures she and the dog are guilty of the same offence. Once when she was so hungry, she entertained thoughts of eating the same dog,” said Lindiwe.
The Soweto-born author revealed to the Northsider that she wrote the book because she wanted to reflect the spectacular that she saw in the everyday lives of township people.
Two lucky readers can win a copy of Lindiwe’s book by answering this easy question: What career did Lindiwe choose?
Send your answer, as well as your contact details to northside@caxton.co.za by no later than 5 March.
