Opinion / Columnist
New Ndebele-Zulu Novel (Igazi Labafo): Interview With The Author
15 Feb 2011 at 08:27hrs | Views
In a bid to revive Ndebele literature Bulawayo24 caught up with Titshabona Malaba Ncube who is currently based in the Northern England(UK). Ncube is one of the few upcoming authors of modern Ndebele/Zulu literature from Zimbabwe.
His recently published debut novel Igazi Labafo is a modern tale of the harsh realities of life. His comic style makes this novel greatly enjoyable and accessible to anyone even those who may believe they cannot read Ndebele fluently. This book has the potential to revive the genre once more, the moment one has been absorbed into the story the language becomes universal.
Where are you from?
I was born in Matobo District in Zimbabwe.
When and why did you begin writing?
I would say I started writing fiction when I was in Primary school. I would compose stories and when I got stuck and bored, I would just kill the main character to end the story.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When my English Language teacher awarded me full marks for creating a story when I was in primary school.
What inspired you to write your first book?
When I visited Hillbrow in Johannesburg for the first time, I found life there stranger than fiction and the first thing that came into my head was to highlight the plight of my brothers and sisters.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I don't think so. I tend to describe the picture in my head the best way I can. I tailor my style to the situation but I use loads of connotations therefore one needs to read between the lines.
How did you come up with the title?
In Ndebele/Zulu, if an individual is surviving through mugging other people, we say the individual is living by igazi labafo literally translated as 'bloody money'.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Igazi Labafo is a novel that depicts how individual characters and personalities can be shaped by the environment they find themselves in. It, furthermore, highlights how an insatiable appetite for money lead to an individual's demise.
How much of the book is realistic?
The first person who read my book thought I was actually talking about his life. Then, the second and the third. Hence the book reflects the lives of many individuals, specifically those who vacate their homes in pursuit of greener pastures in Johannesburg.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Some experiences are definitely based on someone I know and the person know that too.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Sibusiso Nyembezi a Zulu novel writer or most likely, Cont Mhlanga
What book are you reading now?
Sihambile by Margarate Sikhangezile Dube. She is a budding writer but extremely talented. The one to watch.
What are your current projects?
I am a qualified town planner and I am writing a document on how best we can regenerate Bulawayo, entitled 'Regenerating the City of Kings'.
Do you see writing as a career?
Not really. I love writing but I am a town planner by profession. I am actually a Jack of all trades but a master of none.
Who designed the covers?
My brother Matiwaza Ncube.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Trying to describe some rather obscene scenes in a polite way was the hardest part.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
If you feel like writing a piece of literature, stop thinking about it. Just start writing.
Can you summarise Igazi Labafo in less than 300 words.
I wont summarise the whole novel instead I will just give you an extract :
"…bayithinta ifasitela layo lasesivalweni lavela lawohlokela phansi lonke. Kwamhlasimulisa umzimba uMpundule inwele zaba ngamahlahla ngoba engazi ukuthi bakwenze kanjani lokho.
Ngokushesha njalo kwaqhamuka elinye ihuzu elilomkhaba omkhulu. 'Sikwenzela five tiger kuphela mineri.
Die deng iyabiza nawe uyaqava my topiza. Bhek' ilabeli yiJVC,' kwatsho omunye.
'Hayi kabi bafana bami, kodwa angiwuphethe neze ufifty rand namhlanje. Kodwa ngotwenty rand kungahlangana bafana bami,' sekuphendula lelihuzu.
'Eish yivari my bro. Awusheshe, uyazi musi, abohata bagcwele kulendawo,' kuphendula omunye wababili.
'Hayi bafana bami. Nani nivele niyazi musi, …"
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Enjoy Igazi Labafo. It is a book written for you and with you in mind.
Contract: +44 7765 386 033
titsha27@yahoo.co.uk
His recently published debut novel Igazi Labafo is a modern tale of the harsh realities of life. His comic style makes this novel greatly enjoyable and accessible to anyone even those who may believe they cannot read Ndebele fluently. This book has the potential to revive the genre once more, the moment one has been absorbed into the story the language becomes universal.
Where are you from?
I was born in Matobo District in Zimbabwe.
When and why did you begin writing?
I would say I started writing fiction when I was in Primary school. I would compose stories and when I got stuck and bored, I would just kill the main character to end the story.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When my English Language teacher awarded me full marks for creating a story when I was in primary school.
What inspired you to write your first book?
When I visited Hillbrow in Johannesburg for the first time, I found life there stranger than fiction and the first thing that came into my head was to highlight the plight of my brothers and sisters.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I don't think so. I tend to describe the picture in my head the best way I can. I tailor my style to the situation but I use loads of connotations therefore one needs to read between the lines.
How did you come up with the title?
In Ndebele/Zulu, if an individual is surviving through mugging other people, we say the individual is living by igazi labafo literally translated as 'bloody money'.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Igazi Labafo is a novel that depicts how individual characters and personalities can be shaped by the environment they find themselves in. It, furthermore, highlights how an insatiable appetite for money lead to an individual's demise.
How much of the book is realistic?
The first person who read my book thought I was actually talking about his life. Then, the second and the third. Hence the book reflects the lives of many individuals, specifically those who vacate their homes in pursuit of greener pastures in Johannesburg.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Some experiences are definitely based on someone I know and the person know that too.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Sibusiso Nyembezi a Zulu novel writer or most likely, Cont Mhlanga
Sihambile by Margarate Sikhangezile Dube. She is a budding writer but extremely talented. The one to watch.
What are your current projects?
I am a qualified town planner and I am writing a document on how best we can regenerate Bulawayo, entitled 'Regenerating the City of Kings'.
Do you see writing as a career?
Not really. I love writing but I am a town planner by profession. I am actually a Jack of all trades but a master of none.
Who designed the covers?
My brother Matiwaza Ncube.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Trying to describe some rather obscene scenes in a polite way was the hardest part.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
If you feel like writing a piece of literature, stop thinking about it. Just start writing.
Can you summarise Igazi Labafo in less than 300 words.
I wont summarise the whole novel instead I will just give you an extract :
"…bayithinta ifasitela layo lasesivalweni lavela lawohlokela phansi lonke. Kwamhlasimulisa umzimba uMpundule inwele zaba ngamahlahla ngoba engazi ukuthi bakwenze kanjani lokho.
Ngokushesha njalo kwaqhamuka elinye ihuzu elilomkhaba omkhulu. 'Sikwenzela five tiger kuphela mineri.
Die deng iyabiza nawe uyaqava my topiza. Bhek' ilabeli yiJVC,' kwatsho omunye.
'Hayi kabi bafana bami, kodwa angiwuphethe neze ufifty rand namhlanje. Kodwa ngotwenty rand kungahlangana bafana bami,' sekuphendula lelihuzu.
'Eish yivari my bro. Awusheshe, uyazi musi, abohata bagcwele kulendawo,' kuphendula omunye wababili.
'Hayi bafana bami. Nani nivele niyazi musi, …"
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Enjoy Igazi Labafo. It is a book written for you and with you in mind.
Contract: +44 7765 386 033
titsha27@yahoo.co.uk
Source - Byo24NEWS
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