At 29, the bubbly and highly talented Nomphepho Mhlaba has written three books of fiction.

This instantly likable bookworm and workaholic has just released her latest rendition, Love and Pain.
“I draw inspiration from everything happening in my surroundings. The things that I write about are mostly derived from observing human life – triumphs and tragedies,” Mhlaba exclaimed as she spent the day chatting to Lowvelder Express about her life, work and other passions.

She said her new book, a work of fiction, tries to address one of the most avoided topics, especially within black families, incest.

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“With this book I am trying to send an important message across, especially to young people. I hope that they get to read the book and find out what it is all about. Today’s generation of young people are no longer aware of our traditions and way of life. So I am hoping that this book gets to renew that sense of belief,” continued Mhlaba.

The book is about two young, closely related relatives, who defy all odds by engaging in sexual encounters.

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These random encounters soon lead to them becoming really close and they end up living together.

But, interestingly, after disobeying their parents, who chastised them for having a romantic affair, while living together things are not as smooth sailing and rosy as they had hoped they would be.

“I wish young people would learn to trust elders and come to respect our traditions because they are there for a reason. There’s a reason why young people die at a very early age and why there so many domestic violence-related problems.

They may not believe that there are sometimes dire consequences when blood or close relatives become intimate with each other, but it is a reality,”
she said.

The book contains
strong language and is not for sale to anyone under 18.