Thembisa author spreads faith through the written word

At just 25, Michael Nkosana Mbhalathi is an author, minister and soul-winner from Thembisa’s Oakmoor Ext 7.
His journey is one of transformation, faith and deep commitment to evangelism.

Through his writing, he inspires others to embrace their purpose, share their faith and bring discipline to their daily lives.

Mbhalathi’s journey as a writer was born out of personal struggle. Realising that poor discipline was holding him back, he sought guidance from God.

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The answers he received changed his life and made him realise others could benefit from his experiences.

“I wanted to document my real-life experiences, struggles and victories to encourage others,” he explains.

“Growing up in Thembisa exposed me to the challenges and triumphs of everyday people. It gave me a heart for evangelism and a desire to share the power of faith through storytelling.”

His biggest inspiration is his faith and the people who mentored him, among those are his bishop, Dr Able, and fellow believers like Brendon Mokalapa and Sfundo Praise.

He also draws wisdom from authors like Pastor Chris and John C Maxwell, whose words uplift and transform lives.
Mbhalathi’s latest book, I Am a Soulwinner (Diary of a Soulwinner), is more than just a book, it’s a mission.

It captures real evangelistic experiences, offering practical lessons on how believers can effectively share their faith and disciple others.

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Before dedicating his life to Christ, Mbhalathi battled addiction, “I was an alcoholic and drug addict from the age of 17 after finishing matric. But my life changed when I met Jesus Christ.

“I wrote this book in desperation and to encourage more people to engage in soulwinning. I believe some young people need Jesus just like I did, and this book is a way to reach them.”

More than just an instructional guide, Mbhalathi said I Am a Soulwinner is deeply personal.

“It doesn’t just teach about evangelism; it takes the reader on a journey. It provides practical steps for believers to become fruitful in their faith.”

Despite the passion behind the book, the writing process was far from easy.

“I didn’t have a laptop, so I had to sleep at church to use the PC there. I also fasted and prayed for more than 10 days to ensure the message was guided by the Holy Spirit,” he recalls.

The effort paid off.

Mbhalathi has already received testimonies from readers inspired to evangelise. One story stands out for him – a man who had rejected Christianity picked up the book, and his family believes it might be the key to changing his heart.

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Mbhalathi chose to self-publish I Am a Soulwinner, turning what could have been a costly endeavour into an affordable reality.

“I realised I could do it myself with God’s help. A journey that would have cost me more than R10 000 ended up costing me less than R750,” he says.

He encourages aspiring authors to take the same leap of faith.

“Start writing. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Your story matters. Even if a topic has been covered before, it hasn’t been written in your voice.”

Mbhalathi believes self-doubt and a lack of resources hold back many young writers, “Many people think their stories aren’t important enough, but every story matters.”

He suggests reading widely to develop writing skills and gain inspiration.

“It’s through reading that you learn how to construct sentences and develop your writing style.”

He also sees a need for more platforms that support young authors.

“Workshops, mentorship programmes and encouragement towards self-publishing can make a big difference,” he said.

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For Mbhalathi, writing has been life-changing.

“It has deepened my faith, sharpened my understanding and expanded my impact beyond personal evangelism.”

His journey as an author is far from over. In addition to I Am a Soulwinner, he has written My Daily Life with the One that Created Me, a three-month planner to help people cultivate discipline in their spiritual walk.

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His plans include helping others publish their books, reaching a global audience and continuing to write about faith and evangelism.

“I want to inspire and equip believers globally,” he said.

His books will soon be available on Takealot and Amazon, but for now, readers can order copies by contacting him on WhatsApp on 062 202 8398.