“To every child who has ever been laughed at, left out, or looked down upon – may this story remind you that you are not your scars. You are light. You are strength. You are the kind of soul who chooses to rise.” The poetic prologue of local author Lunga Ntuli’s latest work set the tone for the book’s launch at Simbithi. We chat to Lunga about Nomfundo: The Girl Who Chose to Rise, the will to succeed and his special connection to our Estate.
Lunga has authored and published eight books, beginning with Love vs Sport and including popular titles like This Thing Called Love and Single, Not by Choice. Choosing, then, to author a children’s book, was quite something. “This was a dream I had several years ago, and for some reason, it took me a while to get to it. Ironically, it was the most difficult of my books to write,” he shares. “I wanted to create something simple where our children could find themselves. So, the story of Nomfundo was born.”
Nomfundo is a young, Zulu girl raised by her grandmother on a farm after losing both her parents. “She is bullied and teased at school, but she finds her strength and courage in books, and through the wise counsel of her grandmother. Eventually, Nomfundo becomes the first medical specialist to come out of her village,” Lunga says. The story, Lunga continues, is loosely based on his own: he grew up on the Ladlau farm, which is is now Simbithi! “My grandfather, Pietersberg Madondo, was Mister Ladlau’s chef. I was raised by a single mother and her parents, here on this farm. Launching this book here at Simbithi is emotional and special to me, because it is a full circle moment.”
Recounting his own journey, Lunga recalls his dreams of playing cricket professionally, and completing his studies at the Durban University of Technology. During a season, he was a car guard in Salt Rock. “But, there was never a moment I felt I should abandon my dreams or that I was not worthy of them. I would walk up and down Shakas Rock Main Road and quietly promise myself that one day, I would drive this road.”
Through Nomfundo’s story, Lunga hopes to inspire the younger generation to remain hopeful irrespective of circumstance. He plans to tour schools around the province with the book, having already begun at his alma mater, RA Padayachee Primary School in Shakashead. Lunga also dreams of disseminating 10 000 copies of the book. “Inspiring the youth is my passion, whether it is through sharing my story in a motivational talk, or by them reading my words about Nomfundo,” he says. “I would love the local community to partner with me to make this a reality.”
“…I want you to know this: you can rise. Rise with your faith. Rise with your education. Rise with your purpose. You don’t have to be the loudest or strongest. You just have to keep going.” – Nomfundo
To purchase a copy of Nomfundo: The Girl Who Chose to Rise, contact Lunga Ntuli on 064542 6198.
