adminYoliswa Dube Showbiz Reporter
IT is perhaps a cliché that artistes are inspired by everyday experiences to create their various art forms but it is certainly not every artiste who can produce thought-provoking work. In her latest anthology, Deep Deep Blue, Tholiwe Ndebele evokes a myriad of emotions in a reader who is spoilt for choice as she tackles various issues different people from different walks of life experience.
Having nurtured her talent from as far back as her high school days at Eveline High School in Bulawayo, Ndebele has written some of the most thought provoking poems a literary fanatic can come across.
“I’m inspired by everyday experiences. I started writing when I was in high school. I was sent to a creative writing course at Founders High School where I met other budding authors. I also write non fictional work and have co-authored with lecturers on educational articles,” said Ndebele.
The writer draws inspiration from experiencing life, observing different races and nationals as well as from her travels and global experience as an educator.
One of the poems, Son and Mother, tackles the bond between a mother and son.
“When boys grow up they sort of forget the bond they had with their mother, especially when they marry. They forget that’s the same woman who used to wipe away their tears, so the poem is a reminder to sons to appreciate their mothers always,” Ndebele said.
A must-read poem, Online Love, talks about dating online and its hazards. Poems like Go Blow Your Nose were inspired by Ndebele’s interaction with students while Apology Unaccepted was penned after a rough encounter with immigration officials during her travels.
Based in Istanbul, Turkey, where she teaches English, the mother-of-two is set to launch the Deep Deep Blue book next year, together with another book, which she hopes to publish before year end.
Ndebele was born in Matabeleland North province and started school in 1977 at Mzinyathini Primary School before moving to Matshayisikhova Primary School. She later transferred to Henry Low Community School where she developed a love for creative writing. Ndebele then went to Eveline High School before enrolling at the University of Zimbabwe where she attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Economic History. She has since obtained two Masters degrees.
An avid story teller, Ndebele has always been interested in writing short stories and poems. To date, she has co-authored an English grammar book, A Fresh Start, which is the prescribed Form Two textbook in Botswana government schools.
Sidumisile Mabena