TWO Tsonga books of poetry from author and field ranger Hlengani Humphrey Mabasa (44) have just hit the bookstore shelves.
Hlengani, who comes from Makuleke Village outside Malamulele, Limpopo, co-wrote his first book with Max Makisi Marhanele and Bruce Ngobeni in 2012.
Both those authors are now deceased. The book is titled Hlunguhlani M’ehleketo.
He ended his contract with the previous publishers earlier this year after their deal flopped, and he has never looked back.
His second book, Giyani Vatsonga, was published through Mganu Media.
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It is also a collection of Tsonga poems that he co-wrote with authors Vongani Landro Mathebula and Themba Khoza.
Hlengani matriculated at N’wanati High School in 1999 but couldn’t further his studies because of financial problems.
In 2022, he was employed in Gauteng as a security guard before working as a field ranger at a private game reserve in Limpopo.
“I started writing a long time ago.
“I wrote a few unpublished manuscripts but was robbed by people who pretended to be helping me,” he said.
“I continued writing until I met author Edwin Makhubele, who introduced me to Vivlia Publishers.”
But their working relationship ended earlier this year.
“Giyani Vatsonga is sold at R150 per copy,” he said.
