Pinetown author launches new book
Nolwazi Mapekula wrote a book, 'Letters to her Relationships', to appreciate the people she loves after losing both her parents to Covid-19.
THE Covid-19 pandemic reminded Pinetown author Nolwazi Mapekula that life is very limited and we should love and cherish our loved ones while using the time we have to reach for our goals.
Born in Lusikisiki, Mapekula launched her first published book on Saturday, July 15 in Kloof.
The 44-year-old said writing the book was therapeutic for her after losing both her parents to Covid-19.
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“It was the hardest time in our lives. We lost our father on a Monday, and as were making preparations with our mother to bury him, my mother also started to get sick – they passed away a few days apart. We were just left there with our siblings and had to make arrangements to bury them on the same day.
“We were shattered as we’d just lost our two pillars of strength,” said Mapekula.
Her 75-page book, Letters to my Relationships, is more like a poem book but with sweet letters addressed to her loved ones.
“When my parents passed away, I attended counselling, and I was advised to not stop writing.”
The wife and mother said she has been writing from a very young age.
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“My mother was very strict and was passionate about education. We were always ‘on our books’, and that is where my love for writing started. I have a few books I have written, but this is the first one I have published.”
She mentioned that the floods also pushed her to publishing this book.
“The floods showed me that you can sleep and never wake up. We need to fulfil our dreams and passions while we still have time – tomorrow is never guaranteed,” said Mapekula.
Describing her parents’ funeral, Mapekula said it was just a short service due to restrictions.
“I don’t think they got the send-off they deserved – there were not even speeches, and they played a huge part in our community.”
She said her book is about appreciating the people you love and who are close to you.
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