LIMPOPO MIRROR
20 16 December 2016
Prof publishes autobiography in Xitsonga By Tshifhiwa Mukwevho
Prof Samuel Malamulele Risenga reads from his autobiography, A Ri Hlanhlenkangi, during the launch.
The head of the Department of Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergies at the University of Limpopo and at the Polokwane Provincial Hospital, Prof Samu el Malamulele Risenga, has just launched his autobiography. What makes his story unique is that he has written his story, A Ri Hlanhlenkangi, in his mother tongue, Xitsonga. It took Risenga about five years to finish the book. The writing experience was mixed with emotions because he was reliving the experiences he went through in his life. “I would at times feel sad and at times feel happy for having overcome obstacles on the way,” he said. He decided to write his autobi-
ography in Xitsonga because he could express himself much better in the language. “Another reason is that we need to promote our indigenous languages,” he said. “If we do not do that, these languages will slowly be forgotten. Our languages are actually very rich in expressions and these needs to be maintained.” He said that the book showed that poverty should not be a determining factor in terms of achievements. It was possible to make it against all odds. “I would like to recommend it to the youth as it is an inspirational work,” he said. The book was recently launched during a glittering evening at Oasis Hotel in Giyani. The launch was well attended by professionals across many fields and community members who all came to cele-
brate a life told on paper and told in the language of the people. Attendees who had read the book before the launch all praised Risenga for his amazing use of the Xitsonga language in telling his story. Some even quoted from the book, while others spoke fondly about certain parts or chapters that they had found entertaining. A prominent poet and publisher, Vonani Bila, said that the significance of writing an autobiography was that one's adventures in life were preserved for posterity. “Although not every life lived bears the same weight, it is nonetheless crucial to record each life using your own pen, so that your life is not misrepresented by secondary observers,” Bila indicated. “Of greater importance is to write in our indigenous languages,
which carry the richness of cultural expression. Writing in English is a waste of ink if we consider the shortage of books in African languages.” The director of Nhlalala Books, who published the autobiography, Mr Moses Mtileni, said that A Ri Hlanhlekangi was one of only a handful of books in the genre in the Xitsonga language, with the ones preceding it published largely pre-1994. “A Ri Hlanhlekangi is published as part of Nhlalala Books’ effort to push boundaries in the language by publishing genres neglected and experimental works in other genres,” he stated. Those interested in A Ri Hlanhlekangi can phone the publisher at nhlalalabooks@gmail.com or 0725943448.
In the photo are (from left to right) Mr Moses Mtileni, Mrs Valerie Risenga (author's wife), Prof Samuel Malamulele Risenga, and Vonani Bila.
The station that begins with you! Tel: 015 962 8336/8405 & Fax: 015 962 8494 Univen Community Radio 2016 Line-Up TIME 00H00 – 03H00 03H00 – 06H00
NAME OF PROGRAMMES MONDAY - FRIDAY Mid-night experience Ri a vusa
PRESENTER LINCOLIN MAVHUNGA INNOCENT MALIGABADA
06h00-09H00
Univen breakfast
09H00-12H00
Nendila
12H00-15H00
Lunch Talk
EDWIN MAKAMU & FUNYUFUNYU NDIVHUWO VELE NDADZA TAKALANI THABA (THURSDAY: GOSPEL) PAILA CHAUKE
15H00-18H00
Univen Community Drive
G-VOICE AND WELHEMINAH
18H00-19H00
Sports Talk
KC MATHOMA & TJ MASHIMBYI
19H00-20H00
Current Matters
20H00-21H00
Nkho Ya Lushaka
MUVHUSO MBEDZI ROTLAS NELWAMONDO RAPSON RAMBUWANI (WEDNESDAY: DISABILITY) MR BROWN STAN (MON-THUR)
21h00-00h00 20h00-00h00 00H00-03H00 03H00-06H00 06H00-09H00 09H00-12H00 12H00-15H00 15H00-18H00 18H00-21H00 21H00-00H00 00H00-03H00 03H00--06H00 06H00--09H00 09H00-12H00 12H00-15H00 15H00-17H00 17H00-18H00 18H00-21H00 21H00-00H00
The U-Turn National Top 30: Friday SATURDAY Phandula Luvalo Early Riser Weekend Breakfast Reggae Beat International Top 30 Weekend Drive Vhaimbi na Vhasiki Univen Weekend Party SUNDAY Phandula Luvalo Early Riser Delight in the Lord The Evolution The Touch Of Sunday Religious Talk The New Generation Vhaimbi na Vhasiki Gospel Sounds
FHATUWANI TSHITETETE SOUTMAN TAKALANI MAKUYA G-VOICE SAMMY A’DREAD-MON COLLINS MUNYAI OSCAR MUDAU TSHITETETE FHATUWANI MULAUDZI VHUDZISANI SOUTMAN TAKALANI MAKUYA RAPSON RAMBUWANI COLLINS MUNYAI HEAVY T OSCAR MUDAU RASIMPHI F TSHITETETE FHATUWANI KC MATHOMA
NEWS: FHATUWANI LIDZEBE, TSHIITAMUNE VHUTSHILO, NEMAFHOHONI LIVHUWANI AND RAVHUHALI SANDRA
Talented Afro-soul singer Mphuzi Chauke rendered some songs during the launch of Prof Samuel Malamulele Risenga's autobiog raphy.
Proud publisher Mr Moses Mtileni.
Miss Commonwealth ambassador By Mbulaheni Ridovhona
A local beauty, Avhatendi Musandiwa, has been crowned Miss Commonwealth SA 2017 Ambassador. The 26-year-old Musandiwa was crowned during a glittering ceremony held at the Summer Place Boutique Hotel in Lambton, Germiston. She is currently working as an occupational therapist at St Ritas hospital in the Sekhukhune district. “I feel honoured and blessed to be given the platform to be part of Miss Commonwealth. To be an ambassador of change, to influence and empower the young people in the country,” Musandiwa said. She said that she already had big plans for next year. “I am planning to go around schools in Limpopo with Upower Africa and the Miss Commonwealth brand to inspire young people. I want them to dream and know that their dreams can be achieved,” she said. Odifentse Lehasa was crowned the queen of Miss Commonwealth South Africa 2016/17, while Andricia Hinckermann and Portia Phele were crowned the first and second princess respectively. Mandiza Seliti was crowned Miss Commonwealth SA Charity. For the pageant, each of the contestants submitted a portfolio on charitable work they were doing in their communities. The portfolios were used as the criteria by the judges to crown the winners. Miss Commonwealth SA is a national pageant that strives to empower young women to change the face of their communities by being ambassa- Avhatendi Musandiwa was crowned Miss Commonwealth SA Ambassador. dors of change.