Writing is a form of communication, it is concrete and permanent. It serves so many purposes among them to inform, entertain, explain and express feelings and persuade among many others. As the old adage goes,’ the pen is mightier than the sword’. Writers in the past have had a profound impact on society and still continue to do so as this form of art has won them so many wars and battles than the sword can. Society has seen impressive writers like William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Chinua Achebe, and Joseph Conrad emerge over the centuries from all over the world. Drawing closer home, we have the likes of Charles Mungoshi, Dambudzo Marechera, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Mihla Sitsha, Phathisa Ngathi, the list is endless.
Creatives Magazine had the privilege of featuring our very own, affectionately known as KingKG, Mthulisi Ndlovu, a Poland-based Zimbabwean writer. He is a humble young man born and bred in Plumtree in the Matabeleland South Province, an area traditionally considered a home to the Kalanga people.
Mthulisi embarked on his literary journey at around the age of sixteen. Like many young people from developing countries that are usually engulfed in socio-political and economic disparities, he decided to advocate for sanity and confront these irregularities using pen and paper. Growing up under the guardianship of his grandmother who raised him single-handedly, life was not a bed of roses. He recalls how as a child he would walk to school barefooted without proper school uniforms. Mthulisi confesses to not knowing what exactly he wanted to be when he grew up but says deep inside him he knew he had a purpose to fulfill. His grandmother spotted the talent and potential in him. He says “I vividly remember her telling me that the only thing that could rescue us from poverty is taking my book and pen seriously”. She would encourage him to read and write more and this became a game changer for him as it propelled him to change his attitude towards many aspects of his life in general.
Having taken his granny’s words seriously, Ndlovu has become a philanthropist and global African Honorary Award recipient. He is a multi-published academic writer and publisher with a number of books under his belt including a co-authored Ordinary Level ZIMSEC isiNdebele set book called Izinkondlo Ezinhlobonhlobo.
Speaking of world publications, Mthulisi has written the longest poetic assertion of ‘Ubuntu’. The poem is in the form of a book, entitled; Ubuntu’ ( The Raw Truth Unravelled). The poem becomes his third solo project. It was published in 2019. Delving into the poem, one realizes it is indeed a daring piece of art that keeps haunting many dark forces. The poem runs from the first page to the last page of a 51 paged book. It is the first of its kind and dubbed the longest epic poem in the history of local and international publications.
In its content, the poem unravels important issues that are usually left unsaid and or avoided by many in our communities. It explores leadership, religion, education, and a bit of spirituality. It is a poem that tackles the preservation of our social fabric emphasizing hailing the spirit of Ubuntu above any other cause under the sun. He says, “I strongly believe that as a people we could survive and co-exist with harmony, love and meekness if we subscribe to the philosophy of Ubuntu/Hunhu.
Ubuntu (The Raw Truth Unravelled), due to its style, unique nature and many other reasons has made its way into the list of set books in some modules in different universities. The book was also honoured with a Global African Literally Award in 2021. On how he feels about the book, Mthulisi’s response was, “the book has truly defined a huge chunk of my literary career, especially as a budding writer, it is rare and fully packed with powerfully crafted content.
In the Ndebele language, they say, ‘indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili’. This implies that those who have travelled the road before you know better. In light of this saying, Mthulisi has had the privilege of working with a number of legendary and budding brilliant creatives including the late Mr Cont. Mhlanga, Mr Phathisa Ngathi, Mr Philani, A Nyoni, Maison Thwala, Mihla Sitsha, Mrs Barbara C. Makhalisa amongst others. These opportunities are blessings to him as they have taught and aligned him with the true cause and fundamentals of genuine artistry. He has derived great lessons from those who walked the path before him including the late Mr Cont. Mhlanga whom he says taught him to commercialize his art and advised him to never be comfortable with fame and popularity as they do not bring much in terms of one’s upkeep and safeguard of the future of their loved ones.
Authors do not just write for the sake of mere writing. Writing serves a purpose and usually targets a certain audience. Mthulisi explains that his writing is definitely not intended for mere entertainment and amusement. He says, ” I write for a solid cause, it is voicing that which many are shunning away from. I write about hardcore issues, especially the socio-political and socio-economic issues that are being considered sacred and a no-go area. I speak for those without courage, guts and a voice to voice their genuine concerns”. He further asserted that he believes speaking the truth into power and conscientising humanity through one’s conviction is an absolute fulfillment of true existence. The emancipation of humankind is a divine cause which we ought to embrace and hail. To Ndlovu, it is spiritually uplifting and fulfilling to be able to touch lives at that level just by the use of a pen and paper. In totality, he has co-authored about six books to date and is still continuing.
Ndlovu is the founder and president of a nine-year-old charity trust by the name TROVOCO which seems to alleviate the plight of needy individuals in society, including orphans, people living with disabilities, people living with Albinism, rural boy and girl child amongst others. KingKG is also the founding CEO of Ubuntu Afro Publishers and Media, which seems to publish and promote indigenous languages and creatives. He has also bagged a number of achievements and accolades.
Asked what motivated him to become a writer, he responds, ” I simply got inspired by the desire to speak out and point out that which deserves attention”. He goes on to say, “I simply realized that the world I dream of could only come into fruition if I act on it”. Mr Ndlovu has many thanks to extend to his fans, and audience the world over as they have always been supportive from day one. He says ” I am truly grateful and humbled by their overwhelming desire to consume my creative content”.
As a writer, he also loves to read what other authors write about. He says that Mpho’s Search, a book written by Sandra Braids is his greatest read not forgetting Phathisa Nyati whom he says is his favourite writer of all time as he grew up on his content, he purports that Mr Nyathi’s works are rich in indigenous knowledge systems and unapologetically Afrocentric. Currently, Mr Mthulisi Ndlovu is working with the government of Poland and private schools around Europe in spearheading cultural exchange programs. He has had the privilege of representing the country in Estonia and around Poland.
As a concerned youth, Ndlovu feels drug and substance abuse are cancer in our society, especially among the youth attributable to lack of employment and idleness which contributes to mental health-related issues. He further encourages youths to be responsible citizens who should also register to vote and take part in building a better Zimbabwe.
Mthulisi considers himself a realist, he speaks his mind and writes about what he sees as unfit for society. As a parting shot, he advises other creatives to create without fear or favour and be the voice of reason and untainted truth.
