“There will always be noise around you, but your voice should be the loudest…”
Writing was never about seeing his name on the cover of a book. As a young boy, Maanda Raphulu filled pages with stories, poems and imaginary conversations, writing purely for himself. It was a passion that stayed with him through the years, long before he ever imagined becoming a published author.
“I never dreamt of writing or becoming an author,” Raphulu says. “I didn’t choose writing: it chose me.”
Like many creatives, his journey wasn’t without challenges. He explored different forms of writing, from short stories and poetry to television scripts and theatre, facing setbacks along the way. But one thing remained constant – he never stopped writing.
That unwavering commitment has since seen him publish The Ideal Future Marital System and The Essence of Life, with his third book, Lwandle, set to launch later in the month of August.
While each book explores different themes, they are all rooted in Raphulu’s curiosity about people, purpose and the human experience. Through his writing, he hopes readers will reflect, grow and find meaning in their own lives.
Raphulu, however, believes that the books are only part of the story.
He hopes his journey reminds aspiring authors that every published book begins with a single decision: to start.
“Find your own voice and remain true to it,” he says. “There will always be noise around you, but your voice should be the loudest.”
His advice is simple but powerful: “The only way to get anything done is to start.”
As Raphulu prepares to introduce Lwandle to readers, his greatest hope is that someone else will finally begin writing the story they’ve been carrying inside them, because sometimes all it takes to become an author is the courage to write the first page.
By Sinentlahla Mbokwe