BOOK REVIEW: Local author deep dives into adulthood
“Do not rush into things. You cannot have it all figured out."
Emmanuel Sithole’s book Right Before the 30 years Curve calls for teenagers and vicenarians to stop being hard on themselves because it is impossible to have it figured out as young adults and teens.
Sithole takes a deep dive into his experiences in his 20s and as a teenager in this 254-page book, which he said is a guide for anyone navigating career changes, financial constraints, evolving relationships and dealing with failure.
The emotional, psychological, and mental traumas Sithole faced as a teenager and ‘being expected to have it all figured out’ as a young adult, were the catalyst for the 23-year-old to write the manuscript.
“When I was in that space, I figured that life does not have a memorandum. We face challenges and cannot predict how things will turn out. To be equipped, you have to learn some things. That is what inspired the book,” he said.
The New Modder resident explained the book offers wisdom in a world where the younger Gen Z or ‘ama2000’, as they are colloquially known, struggle with relationships, finances and ‘bad habits’.
“The first thing about the book is your thoughts and feelings are controlling your life. Everything that has to do with relationships and connections, is determined by emotions and thoughts. After that, it becomes a habit.”
Drawing from his experience, Sithole said his emotional, financial and relationship instabilities as a teenager and young adult shaped the book.
“I realised at that stage of my life my financial struggles were a result of certain habits that did not allow me to save. I learnt financial literacy that way.
“On relationships, I preferred monogamy. I wanted to find myself with one person forever. But I never knew you could meet someone who could lie, cheat and break your heart. Those are some traumas I faced,” he said.
The author explained the book offers readers a penetrating examination of the intricacies of trying to make sense of the world before turning 30.
He added the important points would be that ‘life does not revolve around our wishes’ or ‘no one is here to save you’ and financial literacy is key to a successful life.
“When you get into relationships, understand that those people are there to walk with you, not to save you from anything. You should not expect people to do things for you. You should support your own spiritual, mental and financial well-being.”
These are lessons Sithole taught himself. His grandparents raised him in a ‘loving home surrounded by my cousins’. But the missing puzzle in his upbringing was the love and guidance of his parents.
He does not know his father and his mother passed away in 2019. Although he had the support of his guardians, Sithole had to fend for himself from an early age.
He shares these life lessons written in the book to help peers facing the same struggles.
“Do not rush into things. You cannot have it all figured out. You must understand we run different races. This is what the book is about.”
Sithole said he would donate the book’s proceeds to charity, through his foundation.
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