Springs born author donates set of books to library
Julio has now become a professional author.
Springs-based author Julio Agrella has contributed meaningfully to the local community by donating his books to the Springs Library.
This generous gesture not only enriches the library’s collection but also provides an opportunity for children and adults to engage with the Afrikaans language.
Founder of the Facebook page, Springs History of the Gold Town, Tony da Cruz, helped Julio with research for his latest novel.
He believes this type of literature opens the door to diversity in an otherwise rather conservative community.
“I think it is something to be celebrated that there are people from this town that broke out in any sphere, but specifically in this type of literature. There are very few.”
Julio says his series speaks the truth covered in a bit of fiction because that is the way to help people face uncomfortable truths.
“My first job was to be a prosecutor for people who did not have their ‘dompas’. I was witnessing as the police would conduct nightly raids to find these people so they could bring them to the courts.”
He adds it shaped the way he has told his stories.
“My storytelling is very anecdotal and I try to make it educational. These little bits of history are not taught in schools.”
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The stories are a series but can be read as stand-alone books. Julio was born in Springs and is a Laerskool Christiaan Beyers and Hoërskool Hugenote alumnus.
He started writing his novels during the Covid lockdown in 2020 and has been publishing a book every year since.
He is busy with the fifth instalment of the Zeus van Wyngaardt series.
Julio says his writing style is more of a spoken Afrikaans and is relatable. “I want people who do not speak the language daily to understand the books and be able to follow the story.”
The books are available at the library.
