Well-known Phalaphala FM producer-presenter Thambatshira Ndadza has just won a continental author's award from the AfriCAN Honoree Authors' Awards for his book written in Tshivenda. The organisation recognises authors who write in both English and indigenous languages across the African continent.
The awards ceremony was held at the Sandton Library in Johannesburg on 31 July. Ndadza was honoured for his third book, Dambuwo li si na muratho, in the "Suspense Novel: Tshivenda" category.
Ndadza, who hails from Hamatsila in Malavuwe village outside Thohoyandou, is the presenter of Phalaphala FM's current-affairs programme, Ndevhetsini. With more than 19 years in the broadcasting industry, Ndadza has published four books in the past three years.
"Dambuwo li si na muratho (loosely translated as "The River Without a Bridge") was published in 2023. He followed it up with a Tshivenda poetry book titled Zwirerambilu, which was published three months ago. Zwirerambilu was also nominated for a "The Book Behind Award," an accolade bestowed on South African authors who are doing exceptional work in writing.
Ndadza was thrilled about winning the AfriCAN Honoree award. "This award means a lot to me as an emerging author. It is a continental award and a great recognition. I see the recognition as a way of saying— 'You are on the right track, keep going higher,'" he said.
He encourages other emerging authors to write in their mother tongues and to use their gift of writing to tell stories in an African way.