Ondwela Theophyllus Takalani is a local artist known for his confidence and determination. He recently published his first novel, Mutsinda ndi khwine.
Takalani, from Masisi village, holds a bachelor of arts degree in media studies from the University of Venda. He explained that his book was written in pure Tshivenda, not an ancient or outdated form. He believes poets and writers play a crucial role in keeping their language alive. "I noticed that our language is fading, swallowed up by the frequent use of English in daily life," he said. "It shocked me to see our language melting like a hailstone, so I decided to revive Tshivenda."
His novel tells the story of Mashudu, a young prince who loses his parents early in life. His uncle and aunt conspire to deny him his chieftaincy and inheritance, forcing him into hardship. Despite this, Mashudu holds on to one belief: education is the key to reclaiming his rightful place.
Takalani sees capturing local words and idioms through poetry as the responsibility of writers. He remains humble and wishes to be treated like anyone else. "It took time for my family to accept me as a writer," he said.
As a young man, Takalani often went hunting and would scream out loud in the bush. This inspired his writing. "I cried out through my writing to find solutions to the difficulties I was facing," he said. "I believe we are all equal. People should go out and make a mark in life because nothing is impossible. I often poke fun at people to encourage them to improve," he added.
He emphasises the importance of using one's skills while young as this forms the foundation for the future. "Writing is my natural talent, but my success comes from hard work, determination, and a positive attitude. I want to prove that success does not depend on where you come from - even a disadvantaged rural area like mine - but on using the resources you have."