Ndlovu set for double book launch

BULAWAYO-born author Crispen Ndlovu is set to launch his latest two books Selibona Nya! a Ndebele political satire and a poetry anthology Incwadi Encane on Friday.

BULAWAYO-born author Crispen Ndlovu is set to launch his latest two books Selibona Nya! a Ndebele political satire and a poetry anthology Incwadi Encane on Friday.

SHARON SIBINDI OWN CORRESPONDENT

Ndlovu (26) told Southern Eye Lifestyle that he features four poets in the authology.

“This Friday l will have a double launch of my two books, Incwadi Encane, which features some poets like Eunice Ndlovu, Philip Sithole, and Bonweyinkosi Sithole who contributed some of their poems to the book,” he said.

“During the launch, we will have a renowned musician who would be the guest of honour and this will be a surprise for many people as l will not mention who the person is.”

“Some Bulawayo poets would perform at the launch and passages from the two books would be read.”

Selibona Nya! is a fictional story which is inspired by true events that took place before and after independence in 1980.

The book looks at post-independent Zimbabwe’s political disturbances in the Midlands and Matabeleland regions in the 1980s and beyond.

The story in the 120-page book starts in the evening and then ends in the morning.

Ndlovu says he penned the book after people had implored him to translate his novel Guveya into a local language.

The title of the book is derived from a common joke about a husband who leaves his home in the morning to buy a newspaper, but ends up diverted to a local shebeen until the following day.

“The guy then returns home the next day and finds his wife sweeping outside. The man confused, not knowing what to say goes to a baby and says: ‘Selibona Nya!’,” Ndlovu said.

The author said the main character is a former dissident. He said the book explores issues of national unity and reconciliation, the validity of the Unity Accord, marginalisation, corruption, tribalism and other topical issues.

“The book interrogates the possibilities of what could have happened if Zipra had taken arms against the government and possibilities of Zimbabwe being divided into two countries,” Ndlovu added.

He said Incwadi Encane is an anthology funded by Radio Dialogue. It looks at the politics in general, the closure of industries in Bulawayo, unemployment, love and marginalisation.

Ndlovu said those who would attend the launch would get a free audio book for Selibona Nya!

The young writer recently launched political satire Guveya in Bulawayo and in Harare which has opened debate about the Gukurahundi genocide.