What started with a simple push from his partner has grown into a new chapter for Ntoko Stephen Mokhathi, who is carving out a space for himself as an author and African storyteller.
Mokhathi says his decision to write was strengthened after attending the Sedibeng TVET College Language Festival, where seeing local writers and storytellers share their work made him recognise the value of his own voice.
“That festival opened my eyes. I saw how powerful our voices and stories are when we put them on paper,” he said.
The result was MELODY’S, a collection shaped by experiences of life, love, loss and healing. It took him 14 months to complete, often writing before work and late at night, with weekends reserved for editing.
His late mother also became a powerful influence on his writing. He released the book on Africa Day, May 25, as a tribute to her.
“She loved stories, she loved Africa, and she believed in me before anyone else did,” Mokhathi said.
Now published on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books and Google Play Books, Mokhathi is already looking beyond his first release.
His second book is underway, with family and legacy at its centre — another step in building the writing career that once began with someone telling him: “You should write a book.”
