Thembi bags nomination for the African Poetry and Authors Awards

A teacher, bred writer, and author who hails from dusty streets in Thubelihle, Ga-Nala, has been nominated for the best female author and best international writer at the African Poetry and Authors Awards.

Thembi Ntahane KaMahlangu, in an exclusive interview with WITBANK NEWS, wished to share her journey to hopefully inspire someone who wishes to pursue writing.

The award nominee shared that although her writing career began in 2017 when she was pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Witwatersrand, she has always been fond of writing.

“I have written two novels and a poetry collection. My début novel titled ‘He saw the storm’ was first published in 2020, and it is set in South Africa in the 1950s. It follows the story of a young girl who followed her mother in marriage and later became a second of her stepfather when her mother could not give children to her husband,” Thembi said.

She also mentioned that the inspiration behind the book was the injustices that are sometimes suffered by stepchildren who are taken into marriage.

“The story reveals the cultural oppressions that were endured by women and children during those days,” she added.

What had started as a story, Thembi later discovered that many women and children in South Africa are living that reality. The book was honoured with an award back in 2021.

“ ‘After the flame’, comes as a sequel to ‘He saw the storm’. It was published in 2021. It continues the theme of patriarchy and cultural oppression while also tapping into issues of inheritance and ‘Ukungenwa,’ a cultural practice that was popular back in the days where a widow would be inherited by the deceased brother to continue the deceased legacy which was just a front for keeping the brother’s assets within the family,” Thembi said.

The book has scored two nominations in this year’s African Poets and Authors Awards; it is nominated for best female author and best international writer.

The nominee’s poetry collection ‘Chasing the light’ also published in 2021 was a gift to the world to celebrate a successful fight against depression.

Thembi mentioned that it featured several themes, dedicated to women battling with depression. The poetry collection also bagged an award for best female author in 2021.

“Currently, I am working on my next offering, a novel titled ‘Nomvula’s calling’. A story of a born-again family with a history of Ubungoma, an ancestral calling.In this novel, a daughter is found having to quit church and fulfil her calling. The novel is set to be released early next year,” the author teased.

Thembi added that she has also contributed her work to international publications, including the Women Scream anthology for women and children dealing with abuse.

“Hibiscus Poems that heal and inspire, which is an anthology of poems giving hope after the Covid-19 pandemic. Yonitry Poems by resilient and empowered goddesses are an anthology of female poets,” she informed.

When Thembi is not glued to her screenwriting, she has her nose in a book or changing lives in the classroom.

“As a teacher, I aim to inspire young people to come to the fullness of themselves and fulfil their wildest dreams. As a country that has an education system with a struggling literacy stance, I hope to inspire young people to read more and broaden their horizons.”

To vote for Thembi, you can SMS APAP0550070 to 33903.

To get to know the award-winning author and teacher, you can follow her on social media platforms:

Thembi Ntahane KaMahlangu_author on Instagram and Tiktok.

Thembi Ntahane KaMahlangu on Facebook.

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