A local author, Mr Thivhusiwi Tshindane, is an ecstatic man. He was named the winner during the launching ceremony of the Alkebulan Authors' Platform that was held at the Protea Hotel Marriot in Polokwane last Saturday evening. Mr Tshindane was presented with a cheque to the value of R50 000 during the ceremony.
Tshindane has written several poetry and novel books, including Na rine ri vhathu, Ndi mushumo u ne kha lino ndi khou lilesa and Hone hu tshi tea u maliwa nga vhugai, over the past years. The book that made him the winner is his latest publication, Hone hu tshi tea u maliwa nga vhugai. It was published in June this year.
In the book, Tshindane tries to address the confusion many people face because of their failure to draw a line between traditional and western marriages. Some of the problems he tries to address in the book include parents who demand exorbitant fees for lobola from the grooms-to-be, as if they are selling their daughters.
During an interview with him, Tshindane indicated that winning the prize was testimony to the fact that he is one of the best authors in the country. He revealed that what encouraged him to write more books was the fact that the demand for his books was far higher than he could supply. He promised his followers a new book, which is expected to be available in bookshops early next year.