How writing helped him to heal

POLOKWANE – When life dealt 56-year-old Lucas Sekwakwa a heavy blow, he had the choice to give up or roll with the punches and try to focus on the ray of hope in dire circumstances.

Lucas decided to hang in there and make life meaningful despite his hardships. And he found a crutch and eventually almost a “cure” by picking up a pen.

When he was injured in a serious car accident in 1996 he thought his life was over. The tragic accident left him paralysed from the neck downwards.

He was a complete quadriplegic and could no longer care for himself, but he refused to give up.

According to him, he was given the chance to undergo intensive physiotherapy which gave him a glimmer of hope.

He was dedicated and worked with the medical professionals and in time started to feel and get better. Eventually his condition improved in such a way that he could focus on developing his writing skills and soon the pen became his best friend.

He then decided to write a book. This book, called Abominations in Secunda, is to be published next month by Publishing World SA.

“The book is a marvel to read. It is written in very good English. It is about the characters that I have observed at Embalenhle.”

Lucas stayed in Embalenhle for more than 20 years and observed and experienced many things – good and bad – while living there. After his divorce he decided to move to Limpopo.

“I had a house in Extension 7, house number 2 368. After my painful divorce, I moved. I left my house with tenants because I could not stay there anymore,” he adds.

Lucas reveals he found true comfort and companionship in writing. Putting his story on paper gave him hope while he was still struggling with onset depression.

He currently resides in Mokopane and is now more positive about his life and the future. This brave man is also proud of the hard work he has put in on his road to recovery and of writing his book.