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Stanford Chiwanga, [email protected]
NONDUDUZO NCUBE is a resilient soul whose life’s journey has been as vibrant and diverse as the Matabeleland region landscape that surrounds her. Born under the sun of Beitbridge and raised amid the cultural tapestry of Bulawayo, her narrative is a mosaic of experiences that have shaped her into the extraordinary woman she is today.
As she walked the corridors of Nkulumane Primary School and later Mpopoma Secondary School, Nonduduzo’s education set the foundation for her growth, eventually culminating in a National Diploma in Information Systems. But life is more than just degrees and institutions; it’s about embracing challenges and finding solace in unexpected places.
The pages of Nonduduzo’s life story turned dramatically when she embarked on her writing journey. With the ink of her pen, she painted tales of love, hardship and resilience. Writing became her refuge from the storm, a form of therapy that allowed her to navigate the tumultuous waters of life. Little did she know that her stories, born from her own struggles, would one day blossom into novels that would touch hearts far beyond her own.
Nonduduzo’s journey into the realm of literature began when she dared to believe in herself. A single mother of two, she faced the world head-on after leaving her children’s father. Amid the trials of financial hardship, social isolation and the complexities of her faith, writing emerged as her lifeline. It wasn’t just her words that flowed onto the pages; it was her heart, her soul and her dreams.
“I started writing my novels when I was already an adult and this was after I had left the father of my kids. I was struggling financially, socially and religiously. So writing was my way of relaxing my mind. I can say it was a cheap and accessible form of therapy for me at the time. I didn’t even for one day think I was going to be a published author one day,” she said.
The first flicker of Nonduduzo’s literary flame ignited a passion that refused to be extinguished. Each story she crafted was a tapestry woven with threads of reality and imagination, reflecting the world she inhabited. While her narratives danced on the line between fiction and reality, they encapsulated the essence of life in all its beauty and chaos.
“My first novel led to another because I enjoyed it and my readers loved my work. They kept encouraging me. My stories are inspired by reality around me. Although my work is mostly fiction, it portrays the world we live in,” said Nonduduzo.
The magic of Nonduduzo’s writing didn’t stop at her novels. Through the door that writing opened, she found herself stepping into another world of creativity — acting. From the depths of her writer’s heart, she blossomed into an actress, embracing new roles with the same tenacity she channelled into her novels. Acting became more than a stage; it was a canvas to paint her emotions, fears and growth.
“Being a writer opened doors for me. One of the opportunities was acting. I always tell people that if I hadn’t been a writer, I wouldn’t have been an actress. I love being an actress because it’s a new challenge and I get to step out of my comfort zone. It has given me a chance to learn more about myself.”
Her life journey was not without its shadows. Nonduduzo’s relationship with her strict and protective mother made her hesitant to fully express herself. Despite her innate wild spirit, she held back, a dichotomy of boldness and reservation. Yet, within the constraints of her upbringing, she discovered her strength, pushing past her comfort zone to embrace acting and personal growth.
“My mother was very strict and protective which I think that made me to be a bit reserved. I feel that naturally I am a wild person but because I was brought up in a strict faith-based set up, I became afraid to fully express myself. Even now I feel that I can be something more and even bigger but I still have that fear and I tend to hold back.
“My most challenging role is in Maliwe where I am into sex work. It is kind of challenging for me because I cannot watch myself with my kids. I know they will see it one day but I avoid watching with them. Maybe it’s because of the effect of my upbringing or maybe it’s because I am also being protective to them,” she shared.
Nonduduzo said her voice and her novels are a mirror reflecting the culture and issues dear to her. Her stories don’t just entertain but they also provoke thought, inspire change and cultural understanding. Written predominantly in Ndebele, her tales are not only a celebration of her heritage but a rallying cry for the preservation of minority languages.
“I have published three books which are Umhlaba Ungihlanekele, Buchitheka Bugayiwe and All their Flaws – The Livestreamer. With my novel, All their Flaws – The Livestreamer I did quite the research because I was writing as a male character and I was tapping into a new context where I was talking about male marital stress. I needed to be informed so I interacted with a lot of men about their experiences. The interactions were informal but they were very informative.
“My stories are culture-centric as I attempt to bring about social change and cultural understanding. I write about important issues and raise awareness. I mostly write in Ndebele because I am all about preservation of our languages. It is my wish to translate some of my books into the minority languages which are in Matabeleland. Hopefully, one day that wish will be fulfilled.”
Nonduduzo’s journey wasn’t one of mere chance but of deliberate choices. With discipline and consistency, she sculpted her days. Work and play, each given its due. She believed that true creativity thrived within the boundaries of balance, where hard work fuelled the spirit and leisure nourished the mind.
“In order to ensure proper time management I think discipline and consistency should be key. I work hard and play hard. This helps me to stay creatively energised. When it is time to work I do my work diligently and I have been of late teaching myself to be disciplined in terms of time. When it’s time to play, I play and it helps my brain to refresh,” she said.
The road to success wasn’t a shortcut and Nonduduzo’s advice to emerging writers is patience.
She urges them to embrace the journey, starting and finishing with unwavering determination. A writer’s path isn’t for the faint-hearted but for those willing to invest time, effort and a willingness to learn.
“I always tell emerging writers that what makes one a writer is actually starting to write and finishing. Don’t be too hard on yourself, take it easy until you get there. If you are looking for a fast money making scheme, then writing is not for you. This is because writing is a lifelong pursuit and one needs to keep learning. Consistency and discipline are key.”
Nonduduzo has seen better days as a novelist — she struggled and has had her fair share of disappointments. But, undeterred by rejection, she took her books to the streets, introducing her work to the people directly.
“I started selling my books on the streets because all bookshops which I tried to engage rejected my work. They told me that they were not taking any new books so I had to find a way. I would go to Plumtree for two days to sell my books on the streets. The people of Plumtree were so welcoming and they loved my work. I am preparing to go to Beitbridge, Gwanda, Vic-Falls and Gweru as well as Harare to do the same.
“I have discovered that this is an effective way of selling the books.Umhlaba Ungihlanekele is the one which is selling faster than the rest. I would like to believe that it’s because, as my favourite book, I am advertising it more than the others,” she said. — @plainstan
Online Reporter