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Nurse publishes Setwork book
NCEBA DLADLA
A
PORT Elizabeth professional nurse Nompumezo Buzani has published two Drama books in isiXhosa, one of which has been prescribed by the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape for Grade 10 learners from next year.
An elated Buzani (54) of KwaDwesi thanks God for this success, after many years of acting, writing and directing stage dramas and films as well as submitting book manuscripts without success. Her books “Imida” (Frontiers) and “Hamba nam, ndipheleke” (Come, go with me) were published this year by Vivlia Publishers and Centre for the Book Publishers. She was born and
bred in Alice as the daughter of a late Ciskei activist who was arrested for his activism. This mother of four, who is widowed, had been involved in writing since childhood. “I got inspiration from my late teacher Mxolisi Joe Matyila who was also a composer,” reminisced Buzani who first wrote a radio drama “Ukuba ubusazi” which was rejected by the then Radio Xhosa, allegedly because of its political connotations, while she denied she had any political agenda writing what she thought was a reflection of what she saw in the Ciskei Government. A stage drama “Unonyembezi” followed but when Buzani passed matric, she took up nursing, thinking that the writing bug was gone. “I got married in 1985. I came to Port Elizabeth but when my husband
(Zola Buzani) died 10 years later, I went back to arts. The interest in PE at the time, however, was in poetry,” remembered Buzani who, through the assistance of poets like Mzi Mahola crafted her poetic artistry. Buzani put drama on hold and shone in this new genre, publishing in poetry magazines like Kotaz. This, she said, gave her a breakthrough to meet UCT lecturer Dr Abner Nyamende who facilitated her featuring in the book “Voices of Africa” in which she contributed two poems. “However, I always wanted to develop my drama and I remember taking my work to international stage and film actor Winston Ntshona to critique it,” Buzani said, adding that it was good advice like Dr Ntshona’s that kept her glowing and hopeful for success. PE Opera House Managing Director Monde Ngonyama also played a role in developing Buzani’s arts. She said, “I took part in Monde’s stage plays as an actor and we went to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in 2008 and 2009. This was in order to fine-tune my writing skills.” Not only that, but Buzani, who entered the Iphulo Drama Festival, also took part and won an award in the Bay Film Festival in 2010. At this stage, she said, she had already started Imida, a story about former exiles who were trained in Guerilla Warfare. Buzani said she was elated when South Africans told their own stories and in their own languages. “Government must look after budding writers. There is immense talent out there and many stories to be told,” Buzani said.
Port Elizabeth author Nompumezo Buzani celebrate her books, one of which is prescribed for schools. PHOTO:NCEBA DLADLA
Editor: Bettie Giliomee
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