When you reach the ripe young age of 80, having published more than 100 children's books, nine books, short stories and poetry, every day should be a celebration.
And this is exactly what she's doing.
Author Dr Sindiwe Magona is quite a prolific writer and for her 80th year, she's celebrating all year long with a number of honours.
She was just recognized for her amazing contributions by the Amazwi Museum of Literature and the accolades keep coming, just a few months after she received a PhD in creative writing from the University of Cape Town. She also has a string of honourary PhD's in her arsenal.
“Turning 80 is no great achievement. However, it is a gift which I do not take lightly. I am very grateful to have been given longevity and pray I use it well and to the benefit of others."
Dr Sindiwe Magona was born and raised in the Gungulu village in the Eastern Cape and started her writing career quite early.
With a masters degree from Columbia University, there's almost nothing she hasn't had her hand in when it comes to the world of literature.
Her work reflects her personal experiences of poverty, resistance to oppression and the challenges of African womanhood.
The celebrated author worked as a domestic worker and a private school teacher, navigating South Africa’s racially divided socio-cultural-economic spaces while being a mother, a wife and a leader in her community. These lived experiences make up the fabric of the motifs she explored through her writing over the years, culminating in over 120 children's books published.
"I am deeply humbled by the honours and rewards and praises that have been poured on me in celebration of the writing I do: The Sindiwe Magona Literary Conference at Georgia State University in Atlanta; the book, Sindiwe's Gift - a collection of tributes from friends; the exhibition eMakhanda are, to me, the top three of numerous honours I have received this year,” the icon says.
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It has been a busy year for the literary legend who is as decorated as she is gifted. She's still as humble as ever as she recalls parts of her journey to becoming an esteemed author and national inspiration.
“For me the process of writing was simplified at the first writers' workshop I attended and where I started writing Mother to Mother (1998) and I use that process when giving workshops myself.”
She passionately offers her expertise to anyone who might want to write a book of their own one day.
“To start off - the would-be writer must be clear in their mind on these: Name/Title of what you have in mind. Reason for the title. Why do you believe the world needs this book? That clarity paves the way the writer has to negotiate.”
She explains that the next objective would be to set goals, “including timeline. How many pages per day does the writer commit to writing? Time when this will be done - routine is very important in life, in writing too.”
A changing literary landscape
She is proud of the changes she has seen occur in the ranks of the art form she loves so much.
“Changes in the literary landscape, for me, have been most welcome particularly the rise in the number of Black women writers. Also, the exploration of the extra-terrestrial is both exciting and affirming of long-held beliefs by the peoples of Africa ... that there is more to life and living than what meets the eye.”
She explains how the latter has started influencing her work as she explores, “the other invisible life forms. In Girl Opens Eyes the main character in the youth novel I am currently working on, goes there.”
Even an esteemed writer of her caliber is not immune to the pains of being a writer and the challenges this art is riddled with.
“The challenges I have faced and still face is writing [something] I believe in, but no publisher does. Rejection is something a writer must accept and live with that knowledge. But I will go on writing, and I am happy that more of my work has been published than has been rejected. One goes on going on despite such setbacks.
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“Life is never easy and there is no smooth sailing for writers either. Aspiring writers will most probably enter the field with eyes open to setbacks and most will avail themselves of the help services available to artists.”
She is in the twilight of her life and as a person as celebrated as she has become and been for so long, pruning her legacy to see it remain evergreen is something she is contemplating heavily now.
“As with any writer, I hope my books will continue enjoying the support of readers, in South Africa, the USA, the UK, Europe, and Asia, as well as the rest of the world - not only now or while I still live but long after I am no more. That's legacy - to continue to exist, via your work, when you no longer breathe. Of course, entities such as universities could choose to honour me and my work by launching essay competitions or studies of my work.
“Amazwi- The Museum of Literature eMakhanda - launched a year-long Sindiwe Magona Exhibition, last week on 29 September. That's affirmation which will definitely contribute to what legacy remains in my name.”
Part of this legacy is a healthy output and just last week she published yet another book, Cumbelele, a children’s book she wrote in collaboration with Siya Masuku which also happens to be her first online publication.
“The future of South African literature, in all the official languages of the country, is about to take off on a grand scale. Personally, as I look forward to the future, I have the driving and urgent aspiration to write children's books that all the children of our beautiful country will find irresistible fun to read.
"That means I will have to collaborate with other creatives to make such a milestone happen. I am ready for such collaboration because if our children do not rea,d they will not thrive. Our children are not thriving, I must join whoever is working to cure this ill - and I am more than ready for the challenge.”
