WHILE some call it a new version of the Bible, comedian Simphiwe Shembe calls it a book of wisdom.
The book is titled Lizwi is Shembe’s second name.
Speaking to Daily Sun, he said that he has been asked if the book, which is written in Zulu, is a new version of the Bible.
This after his fans saw quotes from the book that he posted on social media.
“I think when a person reads the quotes, they feel like they are reading the new version of the Bible. But it depends on how their souls interpret them. My soul doesn’t say it’s a Bible, but a book of wisdom,” said Shembe.
Describing how he got the idea of writing the book, he said there was a time where he thought his life was meaningless.
“There was a time where I used to drink a lot, where I would be found in compromising situations. Some even thought that I had lost my mind, even my comedy career was crumbling. But one morning after a night of booze, when I was sitting alone, I thought of my family, my kids in particular.
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“I realised that they were growing up and I don’t want them to inherit my then lifestyle. I immediately decided to fix my life. That was when the book was invented because I started having a lot of alone time and I was shocked to realise that I’m not just a normal person, but extraordinary,” said Shembe.
He said he believes that there’s a spirit who is using him to deliver the prophecy about life ahead.
“I’m not a prophet or a pastor. But something unusual is happening when I’m alone, away from my phone or social media. Sometimes I feel different, a feeling that I can’t explain. When I’m alone, I think deeply and I believe that I’m used by the spirit to deliver a message. I believe no one is living alone, everyone has that angel that guides them,” said Shembe.
He said that the book, which has 100 chapters, is about respect, love and religion.
Shembe said that it also challenges a person’s beliefs and the way they do things.
“I can tell you, people can stop allowing dishonest motivational speakers and pastors to take advantage of their vulnerability if they read this book with understanding. I’m not saying people must stop reading the Bible, but they need new information about life in general and the level of suicides can decrease,” said Shembe.
He revealed that his biggest fear is that those who don’t understand the book would react differently.
“We have pastors and other church leaders. I’m afraid that once they read the book, some of them will not understand and they might challenge me. And I’m afraid that some could criticise me,” said Shembe.
He said people can get access to the hard copy of his book at his comedy show, Simphiwe Shembe Comedy Picnic, at Durban Botanical Gardens on 3 July.
