AKA Mfan’zodlani from eMbalenhle publishes his first book, ‘Why me a Man’
Before men can start thinking of getting married, they should sort out their lives first before they include other people in their lives.
Mr Bongani AKA Mfan’zodlani Tshabalala published his first book, Why me a Man.
The book is about motivating men and reminding them about the leadership role that God has given them.
Mr Tshabalala said his book also outlines how men should behave.
“Their behaviour in society does not need any special training skills, but comes naturally.
“Men should enjoy being themselves without feeling guilty, because they have been created as men.
“They should also live their lives freely, knowing that it is a God-given right.”
Mr Tshabalala said the book was inspired by his personal experiences and general knowledge of the happenings in our daily lives.
Growing up
Born in Pimville in Soweto, he was raised by his grandparents in Balfour where he also spent his school years.
Mr Tshabalala currently lives in eMbalenhle and works for the South African Police Service in Secunda.
He grew up in the absence of both his parents, though they were still alive.
He was raised by his grandparents and was 25 years old when he met his father for the first time.
Mr Tshabalala said he turned the life challenges he went through, into life challenging lessons.
“Growing up without parents causes many emotional breakdowns and healing can sometimes take a lifetime.”
Mr Tshabalala said God has been his anchor.
He is a Christian and studied theology in order to understand the Bible better.
It is Mr Tshabalala’s opinion that men run away from raising their children, because their lives were also not considered a priority when they grew up.
He encouraged men to take education seriously in order to balance their lives.
“Before men can think of getting married, they should sort out their lives first before they include other people into their lives.
The role of a father
One of the chapters refers to his life experience and is called “A fatherless wish”.
Mr Tshabalala said a young man who grows up without a father, grows up with bitterness.
One of the memories he shared, was when he received a school report and there was a place for his father’s particulars to be filled in.
Mr Tshabalala filled in his grandfather’s name and gave him his own Tshabalala surname.
That was out of fear that he would be questioned or embarrassment.
His grandmother died and he was raised by only his step-grandfather.
“Growing up without a father, makes you feel lonely without anyone to talk to.
“You grow up quiet and when you go through things in life, you have no one to turn to.”
Mr Tshabalala added that men tend to act as though everything is fine, especially because they are expected to be bold enough.
He said some young men turn to the wrong people for advice and end up in bad situations or in the wrong hands.
Before he wrote Why me a Man, he wrote two books that must still be published.
Mr Tshabalala said though writing and publishing a book can be quite challenging, his passion for writing and for motivating others made it easy to overcome those challenges.
“Does God consider you valuable though you were born outside of marriage?” are some of the questions outlined in his book.
Hard copies of the book will be available in June, but are also available online at www.authorhouse.co.uk or www.amazon.co.uk.
For more information, you can contact Mr Tshabalala at leonardtshabalala@gmail.com.
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