Child-headed families often produce troubled children, but in the case of Israel Makuya Radaimane from Ha-Makuya Tshiwamusevhe, it had the opposite result. This bright young man decided to jot down his experiences and, in the end, produced a novel, titled Hu bebwa tshino aluwa, which he hopes will encourage young people who face problems at school and at home to look beyond these challenges.
The 22-year-old Israel said his childhood had mostly been filled with sad days as he had to be both a parent and a sibling to his younger brother. He raised his brother since they were teenagers because his mother lived far, and his father was always away for work. "It was tough, because I had to make sure that he was always happy, so that the situation would not burden him," he said.
Being bullied by his schoolmates with little recourse from teachers did not help his situation. But it also led him publishing a novel as a means to voice the things he could not talk about with his peers.
He shared his excitement over the love and support he has been receiving since the book was launched. "I am happy with the reception of my book. I did not think it would touch as many people as it has. The highlight of it all was when my former teacher from Makuya Secondary School bought my book and told me it would be used to bring hope to current learners," he said.
Besides having published his first book, Israel has his own small cash-loan business and clothing brand, which has sponsored several of Vhembe's artists such as Metro CMG, Batondy, and The B Town, to name a few. He hopes to own a brand store one day and create employment for young people in the province.
He is inspired by writers such as Domina Munzhelele and Rotenda Gavhi, whom he says he wishes to collaborate with to spread his messages of hope.