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Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
Drama, poetry, jokes, punchlines and witty liners poured oxygen into the launch of poet and actor Tendai Maduwa’s book: “Nuggets of Success”.
The book, launched at Innov8 bookstore at Joina City recently, is a collection of Tendai’s life struggles to success and concealed inner witty nuggets that can put one firmly on the path to elevated success.
Actors, poets, writers, motivational speakers and life coaches who graced the packed bookstore spoke about Tendai’s life struggles and peppered their remarks with vivid anecdotes.
Most of them made the audience to laugh while others left them hushed with the sadness of Tendai’s personal struggles.
The jokes and poetry drowned the sorrows of the audience who live in a nation sometimes blamed for complaining too much about being too serious about the issues facing our country today.
Tendai’s mentor and renowned actor, Ben Sibenke, left the audience in stitches: “Kuuniversity vamwe vaiita Biology, vangu vaiita jambology, vachijamba durawall vachitiza chikoro.
“Mabhuku anonetsa kunyora, unorambwa nevasikana urimubako uchinyora. Well done Tendai, a simple man like me lights the candle, a mentor inspires. To write a book like this you need self-belief. And this Tendai’s strength.”
Sibenke bemoaned the lack of a writing culture in Zimbabwe calling on young people to take up the craft.
“Some people will advise you to look after a baby elephant when they themselves have never looked after even a cat. Tendai grew up as an orphan and for him to pen a book like this, it takes a lot of self-belief and courage,” he said.
“Kugona kwako, nyangwe ukaita masocks anonhuwa haurambwe nemusikana.”
The audience laughed more and little did they know that more was to come.
The master of ceremony used his “cry preaching” antics to spice up the occasion punctuated by drama and poetry with such hot poetic names such as Chirikure Chirikure, Felex Mafumhe Mutasa aka Dapi and life coaching touch from Rabson Shumba and businessman Chomi Makina.
The launch itself was packed with many art and book lovers who raised a cheer usually reserved for music stars when Dapi took to the stage to belt out his “Mwana Uyu, Enge akanaka” poem.
“Mwana uyu akanaka, kufamba kwake kwakanaka …,” so went some of the lines chanted in the deep and rich Karanga accent.
His performance was irresistible and Dapi got a standing ovation for his unique and power-packed oratory.
Introducing the guests to the audience, the MC said: “Ladies and gentlemen, help me welcome ‘Simbi hombe dzemunyika – Dr Chomi Makina, a businessman, and Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu a renowned educationist.”
Not to be outdone, said Makina when took to the podium: “All potholes observed . . . and not ‘protocol observed’.
“Tendai writes from his inside and comes out. He made lemonade from lemons. He never gave up despite the trials and tribulations he faced. His book speaks to someone who is discouraged and offers a pathway out of the streetkid mentality.”
To him, he said further, the past has no power over the present.
Said Shumba: “Tendai is not afraid to get out of the boat and walk over the water. Zimbabweans are afraid to write and tell their own stories. Tendai is not afraid, he has started what he planned and finished what he started.”
The MC was hilarious: “Mufana une ruoko rwakanaka. Wakatsvaga mukadzi mutsvuku, dai wakatsvaga mukadzi akasviba sewe, dai wakaita vana mabume.”
This was when, the Tendai’s wife, Nobuhle was asked to stand up for a photo moment with the guest.
Veteran educationist Dr Ndlovu said: ‘Akula sihlahla esikhula singela mpande’ (There is no tree that grows without its roots) advising the youth to take pride in their country’s history and elders to build their future.
“It’s pleasing to see young people expressing themselves in a free Zimbabwe,” he said. “We have to know who we are, let’s be proud to walk with our history and let’s move with our elders.
“Let’s not be trees floating without roots. Zimbabwe is your country first. Zimbabwe is your root and use your cultural experience to expand your horizon.”
He urged young Zimbabweans to learn more languages spoken in the country to preserve the country’s rich linguistic heritage.
“Let us try and learn all other languages spoken here in Zimbabwe,” Dr Ndlovu said. “Let us all be one, let us be united and let’s have more books to read and share our Zimbabwean story.”
“Nuggets of Success” is Tendai’s story from his childhood about having to survive without parents as an orphan.
The book in many ways does not seek to punish the reader with tragedies of life but to inspire and strengthen oneself to walk on the path to success.
It’s a compilation of his thought-provoking messages which seek to inspire people to live their lives positively.
By penning the book, Tendai hopes not only to immortalise the messages and to give them greater reach but to consistently inspire others to achieve.
Online Reporter