Young writer shines
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday April 18, 2019 13:09
Amongst those readers is a young woman, Mpho Rampatla who has since written a novel entitled Rays of Sunshine. In an interview, she told this publication that the book was her first for the Battered Rose series. It consists of a pleasant creepy storyline inspired by Solomon Northup. This book is a masterfully plotted domestic thriller that captivates both male and the male readers.
“The story charts the journey of Matshidiso, from her humble beginnings to become the most prominent and affluent advocate of human rights. Investigative journalist, Sefudi Mokopeleng’s investigation into allegations of abductions and slavery uncovers more troubling questions than answers. She soon finds herself working in the suspected farm in quest to reveal illicit acts taking place there,” she said.
According to the novel, just when the distraught family were filled with hope after the tragic and heart-breaking loss of their mother, another tragedy hit. That time around they never heard again from their golden girl, Matshidiso, who got kidnapped in a plantation in promise of taking care of her disadvantaged family. Despite being trapped in the plantation, the story shows Matshidiso being optimistic in her quest for freedom. She never gave up hope of being freed even though the future seemed bleak. However, her quest to gaining back her freedom was not a walk in the park, as at times she could not take the abuse and her actions led to severe and rigorous physical and emotional abuse.
“The story is halted when Matshidiso, together with her friend Sefudi, undercover journalist, working for an investigative newspaper The Sunday Press, managed to escape with the help of Blazer, Matshidiso’s long lost sister working as a foreman in the farm. As the circumstantial evidence inexplicably mounts against the prominent politician caught up in the crime, Sefudi begins a desperate quest to uncover the truth behind the kidnappings,” she explained.
Rays of Sunshine details original and challenging insights and mostly common experiences of slave victims. It unearths horrific treatment that goes unchallenged in slavery. This is one of the most thrilling novels written by a young Motswana giving an insight human rights issues and slavery.
According to Rampatla, the objective of the narrative was to highlight the reality and the major of that atrocious practice and most importantly, shed light on the need for action on many facades. She noted that on accounts of illicit acts in Herm farms, she hoped that young readers will be inspired by the main character and her friend Sefudi ‘s courage, tenacity and insatiable curiosity. She explained that while that book might be written for young adults, it was certainly not for the squeamish. She said any fan of true crime or detective stories would find much to appreciate in her book.
This 171 pages novel is intriguing and well written. It was published at Letshwiti Publishers. Its author is a 27-year-old young woman from Mochudi who is a Journalism, Media Studies and Communication graduate. She has served as a freelancer and columnist for several local newspapers including Botswana Gazette and Monday Times
This book will be launched on April 26, 2019 at Masa Gardens in Rasesa. The theme of the event is Breaking Bonds of Limitations. It will be graced by dignitaries such as Professor Sheila Tlou, a radio host and TV personality Kgomotso Tshwenyego, deputy editor of Weekend Post newspaper, Alfred Masokola and Media Lecturer at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Letlhogonolo Paulo.
Entrance fee is P250 for VIP and P100 standard.