Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Reporter
POLAND-based poet King KG/Khulu Gatsheni (real name Mthulisi Ndlovu) is working on releasing his debut children’s series book.
Titled Maria Goes to Africa, the book is due for release on the author’s birthday, July 17. It is expected to be published in different languages which will include English, Polish and IsiNdebele by Ubuntu Afro-Publishers in collaboration with a European-based publisher. This will be done to ensure that it caters to a wide audience and also infiltrate the global market.
Speaking from his Poland base, King KG said the book which is based on a true story is centered on Afrocentric history with more attention to Zimbabwe.
“The intention is to cultivate global cultural tolerance and collaborations, while at the same time, enhancing our tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The book will be accompanied by illustrations which I plan to turn into cartoons,” he said while adding that he is collaborating with a Cameroon-based illustrator on the series.
King KG said the book is an adventurous story of a young, ambitious and intelligent young girl who is eager to harness the spirit of Ubuntu.
“Her subconscious desire to learn and understand the global cultural systems of humanity leads her to visit Zimbabwe, a very beautiful landlocked country in Southern Africa.”
He said he decided to write children’s literature because “whatever is taught to children, be it good or bad, they’ll always remember it and in most cases, practice it.”
Children’s literature, King KG said invites them to use their imagination, expand their vocabularies and gain a better understanding of themselves and others.
“I honestly believe that it’s high time we learn to accept that we’re now living in a global village and our duty is to enhance and embrace cultural diversity.”
After relocating to Central Europe and having been teaching English, IsiNdebele, Shona and conducting cultural exchange programmes at schools there, the author said he has learnt that there is a huge gap that needs to be filled by creatives.
“The misuse of the internet has really done more damage in terms of cultural misrepresentations of Africa and other nations.
The negative picture that’s being painted by many sources really needs to be reimagined. Children’s literature based on real positive African historical narratives and cultural connotations will go a very long way in educating the world about African civilisation,” said King KG.
“With this approach, I seek to unapologetically expose and reveal to the whole world, that as Africans, we were actually masters of our own civilisation.
No one brought civilisation to Africa as purported in many written and visualised content. Africa already had highly organised states and kingdoms with well-defined socio-economic systems,” he said.
King KG said if the titles of children’s literature reflect the diverse groups of people in the world around them, children can learn to respect, not only their own cultural groups but also the cultural groups of others.
“Children’s literature serves as a mirror to children and as a window to the world around them by showing people from diverse groups playing and working together, solving problems and overcoming obstacles.
At its best, multicultural children’s literature helps children understand that despite our many differences, all people share common feelings and aspirations. Those feelings can include love, sadness, fear and the desire for fairness and justice.”
“My wish is to also spread my wings, experiment and explore this idea through cartoons, voiceovers, and motion pictures and see where it will lead us to. I’m, however, hopeful and confidently sure the world will receive it with both hands.” – @mthabisi_mthire
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