AWARD-WINNING journalist Mthandazo Nyoni has published his debut work of fiction, an isiNdebele language novel that tackles the corrosive impact of social media on family dynamics.
Titled Sophephelaphi pho? (“Where are we going to take refuge?”), the book secured third prize in the 2023 Barbara Clara Makhalisa-Nkala Literary Trust (BCMNLT) competition, an initiative dedicated to fostering new literature for primary school children.
For Nyoni, the transition from journalist to author was driven by a desire to address a pressing societal ill through the enduring medium of prose.
“In my reporting I constantly witness the silent crisis in our homes,” Nyoni told Southern Eye Showbizz.
“Devices have become walls.
"This book is an attempt to sound an alarm, not just for children, but for parents, reminding us of the sacred space for conversation that we are losing.”
The narrative dramatises the erosion of family communication, portraying households where communal time is shattered by the relentless pull of smart-phones, tablets and televisions.
“We are living in a busy world ruled by social media and technology,” Nyoni said.
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“A significant number of families are fracturing as parents no longer make the time to sit down, look into their children’s eyes, and just talk.”
Beyond its contemporary social critique, Nyoni emphasises the novel’s role in cultural preservation, a pursuit made increasingly urgent by the commercial challenges facing indigenous-language publishing.
“Language is the soul of our culture,” he said.
'Writing novels in isiNdebele is not merely a creative act; it is an act of archival resistance, ensuring future generations can access their identity.”
Published this year by Radiant Publishing Company, the novel’s release has been accompanied by Nyoni’s pointed criticism of challenges within the local publishing industry.
He identified copyright piracy as a severe threat and called for robust government action.
“Piracy is not a minor inconvenience; it is a direct attack on our creative economy,” Nyoni said.
“When illicit copies flood the market, they don’t just steal sales; they steal the very motivation and means for writers and publishers to continue their work.
"It strangles new voices before they are even heard.”
The challenges extend beyond piracy to include limited access to financing, high production costs, and constrained distribution networks.
These factors create a formidable barrier for emerging authors and small presses, often stifling literary diversity.
To address this crisis, Nyoni called for concerted, multifaceted intervention.
He urged the government to enact and, crucially, enforce stronger intellectual property laws with meaningful penalties for copyright infringement.
Furthermore, he advocated for direct financial support mechanisms.
“I urge the government to develop stronger policies and establish a dedicated revolving fund for publishers and writers,” Nyoni said.
“Such a fund could provide seed capital for print runs, support marketing for indigenous languages, and offer grants to promising authors.
“We earnestly hope the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture will take this into consideration.”
He also praised the BCMNLT for its critical role as an incubator.
“The trust provides a lifeline, but it needs greater resources.
"Imagine how many more stories could be told if such institutions were properly funded,” he noted, appealing for increased corporate and philanthropic partnerships to scale up support for budding writers.
Nyoni confirmed that this award-winning debut was merely the beginning.
“This is my first novel, and more are forthcoming,” he remarked.
“But for the ‘more’ to thrive, we must first cultivate an ecosystem where writing is valued, protected, and sustained.
"Our stories, in our languages, are not a luxury — they are a necessity.”
BCMNLT seeks to promote the development and publishing of Ndebele literature, a reading culture and reading resource centres through funding and training.
