Thuli Nhlapo is a journalist, poet and author of Sibongo Sabo and Imbali YemaNgcamane, which made it as a finalist in the 1997 M-Net Book Prize.
Is the language you chose to write in an important issue?
I believe language is important and a nation is distinguished by its languages, which helps shape its identity. The government is making a huge mistake by not taking African languages seriously. They only give real recognition to English and Afrikaans and that should be changed. There would be many noticeable improvements if we started teaching scholars in their mother tongues. The government should start tackling the development of indigenous languages head-on. The Pan South African Language Board is not winning on this issue.
Do your books have an appreciative audience?
That has been one difficult aspect, as I write in isiSwati and this is a language only spoken in some parts of Mpumalanga in South Africa. It is also crucial that an audience relates to experiences they’re reading about. The other problem with not reaching audiences is that most published books are simply not taken seriously enough and are not properly marketed.
Is there something specific that can be described as an ‘African” theme?
I think an author can write about anything — if possible, include everything. An author should be able to broaden a theme. The problem with most African authors is that they tend to concentrate on rural settings, whereas locations can also be in a suburb like Sandton because currently there are blacks living there. Aspiring authors should also write about other environments they have experienced.
How do you make an income from writing?
At the moment I cannot say I receive significant royalties from writing. Since I started publishing in my mother tongue it has proven to be difficult to make money.
What have been obstacles for you as a female author?
I believe obstacles are the same for both genders. It is particularly difficult for an author if she/he is going to concentrate mainly on South Africa. It helps a lot to go international.
What kind of literature should be taught in schools?
We need more African literature to be taken seriously and taught in schools — and not only literature by established African authors like Wole Soyinka. There should always be an element of relevance to the students in books that are taught in schools.
How can young people be encouraged to read books?
We should start writing books that are interesting to them. Those books should be aggressively marketed.