By MKHOKHELI ZIBENGWA, BANO SENIOR REPORTER
MULTI-award winning author Mthulisi Ndlovu has a new first time ever children's story book titled “Maria goes to Africa” which comes to the public domain on July 17, the author's birthday.
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The awaited children's literature series is based on real African historical narratives and events.
Maria goes to Africa is an adventurous story of a young ambitious and intelligent young girl with utmost eagerness to harness the spirit of Ubuntu.
Her subconscious desire to learn and understand the global cultural systems of humanity leads her to visit Zimbabwe, a very beautiful landlocked country in Southern Africa. The book is based on a true story.
Said Ndlovu:
"This is going to be my first children's literature series and is actually based on Afrocentric history paying more attention to Zimbabwe."
The children of today are tomorrows leaders' as per said by the quote which seem to be the inspiration behind the series were the author speaks of the children's need to grow up proud and informed about their roots and prowess.
The book is also of the intention of redefining 'our' own history and celebrate culture and heritage which has been presented as diabolic for a very long time whereas the nation house golden and real history that deserves to be celebrated and shared with the world at large.
"Through the children's literature, this will go a very long way in educating and creating an awareness about Africans championing their own civilisation and building powerful empires world over", said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu narrated that the book is expected to be published in different languages which will include but not limited to English, indigenous Polish and IsiNdebele, with the idea of catering for a wider audience and also infiltrate the global market.
"My wish is to also spread my wings, experiment and explore this idea through cartoons, voice overs, motion pictures and see where it will lead us to. I am however hopeful and confidently sure the world will receive it with both hands" he said.
Ndlovu went on to allude that he is working with a Cameroonian based illustrator on the series adding more flesh to the series.
He has a lot of publishing plans for his own books, with the series going to be published by Ubuntu Afro-Publishers in collaboration with a European based publisher.
Other books Ndlovu has written include Politicking: Lockdown Memoirs from Within and Apart.
Through his work, Ndlovu shows concern over the huge gap that requires creative content creators to fill combating online misinformation about Africa and digitally inferior places which are grossly misrepresented.
From being an author, Ndlovu now also boosts of being teacher based in central Europe teaching English, IsiNdebele, Shona. He also does cultural exchange programmes in both public and private schools.
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