Mangaliso Kabulika
HERBERT Mutanda, a university student, has penned a Shona novel that delves deep into the complex world of students at universities.
Tilted “Wakapindwa Nei”, the novel tackles themes such as drug abuse, promiscuity, education, rape, child abuse and early marriages.
He takes readers on an emotional journey of the lives of students as they navigate the treacherous waters of peer pressure at tertiary institutions.
“I was inspired to write this book because of what I was seeing in learning institutions. I noted that the youths are destroying their future daily.
“From the allure of fitting into the consequences of succumbing to unhealthy behaviours, I explored the multifaceted aspects of this pervasive phenomenon so that many can learn from it.
“I had to use Shona because I was good at Shona and to promote the indigenous language as most youths shun our languages,” he said.
Mutanda has vowed to translate the book into other languages.
“Some of my readers are in foreign countries therefore they cannot read and they do not understand Shona.
“There are plans to translate the book into the English language to cater to them.”
With the reading culture on the low, among the youths, Mutanda had to opt for putting the book on online platforms as his targeted audience interacts more with technology rather than hard copies.
“I have noted that many people, especially in rural areas, appreciate the book, but they just do not have money to purchase the book.
“I believe it is just because of the economic state.
“There are also financial challenges in terms of delivering the books to some potential customers in South Africa.
“The other challenge is the betrayal by printing companies who might not print the books as per required quantity which poses inconsistencies among the readers as they will perceive me as bogus.”