Matobo teenage girl writes and publishes book

By Innocent Mgutshini 

Angeline Sibanda has finally fulfilled her lifelong dream by penning a book of her own and having it published. The teenager, who completed her Advanced level studies at Donkwe Donkwe High school in Matobo last year defied the odds stacked against her and has reason to celebrate a momentous achievement especially given her rural background. 

Angeline’s book which was painstakingly written is entitled ‘Groping darkness’. Speaking to Community Podium, she revealed that she discovered her talent in her early teens.

“I discovered my talent when I was in form 2. I used to write short articles about my life and what I wanted in future. The articles where just about personal things that I experienced and I always kept the articles safe and sometimes read them out to my friends in class who however  did not take me seriously but I wasn’t moved”.

It was in Lower Sixth form that Angeline set the ball rolling on her debut book.”My wish was to be an author in the near future and when I was in  lower sixth, I started writing ‘Groping Darkness’ At the time I had no idea as to how and when it would be published,” she said with a chuckle.

Angeline’s big break came when she was in Upper Sixth when an accomplished author identified her talent and helped her publish the book.

“To the glory of God, when I was in upper sixth, Mr Z Mabonisa, an author and former student visited the school while looking for students who can write short stories and  i seized the opportunity to hand him my book . He edited it and  it was published by Samantha Nomaswazi. I am now an author and I am very proud of my achievement. I will not sit on my talent. In fact, I have already started a draft for another book which will go a long way in assisting students and young people in decision making “Angeline said.

Donkwe Donkwe High school Deputy Head, Mr Thabani Ncube expressed his joy on what the young lady has accomplished and said she has raised the rural school’s flag.

“That was a brilliant move and a gigantic leap forward. She is quite an innovative girl and has since amply demonstrated that she can take her ingenuity beyond the classroom borders. She is such a dedicated and courageous young girl who has sang loudly to the world that although born and bred in the sticks, she  is not purely rural upstairs. We have absolutely no reservations to congratulate her for venturing into the world where some boys have all the trepidation to make attempts to. She has most certainly taken the flag of the school to unprecedented levels” Ncube said glowingly. 

Isheanesu Tachiona. One of the senior teachers at Donkwe Donkwe High School weighed in by saying ” I think the rural kids have too much talent endowed in them but lack of exposure and opportunities are suppressing and killing a lot of opportunities. I also know some learners who are good at drama, imbube, singing, drawing etcetera but due to lack of proper resources, such talents usually die a natural death “ Tachiona said.

Her English teacher Kanengoni Sharai said “The girl has always been an active and zealous child. Her command of the language has been super since form 1. She is also one of the few learners who passed English language in her class and she also has leadership qualities,” she said. 

Angeline asserted that her literary work in the book is aimed at sending  a strong, clear message to her peers and other youths out there for them to stand firm and not waver on the decisions they make. The book also touches on the consequences of bad decisions made during days of youth. The book also explores the process of growing up all the way to the strong decision making stage.