‘Sigiya Ngolwethu’ Nkayi author pens a Zimsec setbook novel

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Nkayi man has set himself on a mission to revive the Ndebele language through storytelling which has seen one of his novels being selected as Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) setbooks. 

Born in 1982, Zibusiso Lima says he developed passion for story telling while doing his education at Dimpamiwa Primary School and Hlangabeza High School in Nkayi, Matabeleland North Province where he used to score good marks in fiction writing.

He says he began exploring his talent in 1998 when he was doing his form three. 

“I am a writer who aims to revive the Ndebele language,”Lima said in an interview with VicFallsLive 

“I write fiction  based on what’s happening  in the world around us today. 

“I used to score good marks in Ndebele compositions so this coupled with my passion for reading Ndebele novels by the time, compelled me to explore more about this industry.”

Lima recently published his first book titled, ‘Kodwa mama!’ being recognised by the Zimsec as a literature prose set book for November 2024 to November 2026.

“Other than Kodwa mama!, I have co-authored anthologies of poetry titled Sigiya ngolwethu, Izwi lezimbongi and short stories titled Izigigaba zakwaNdongaziyaduma,” Lima revealed. 

Lima says he drew his  inspiration from the late veteran author Ndabezinhle S. Sigogo and before his passing, he encouraged him to do more in preserving the Ndebele language. 

” I vividly remember the day I met him at his Tshabalala home in Bulawayo, he encouraged me to do more,” Lima said. 

“Ngiyajabula ukubona intsha isukuma iqedisa umsebenzi esawuqalayo. Ibambeni kanjalo, kithi selingomtsha wendoda. (I am happy to see the younger generation taking up what we started, even if our time is up, it is up to you to you continue with the work) those were his last  his words.”

Kodwa mama! brings a lesson about faithfulness and honesty, particularly required of women to their partners to avoid broken marriages. 

Lima says through his works, his wish is to inspire youths to utilize their  their leasure time doing something that is productive.

“For a living, I am employed by one of the companies in South Africa and doing most of my writing during my spare time,”

“Driven by the passion to revive our indigenous languages, it is my major aim to see more upcoming authors being assisted in realising their dream. In this regard i desire to own a publishing house which will play a major role in realising this dream.” 

Lima’s book will soon be found in Bulawayo and those intending to place orders can reach him on email at zibusisolima7@gmail.com and through phone on +263 77 685 3163/ +263713736072 for calls and +27731268684 for WhatsApp.