84-year-old Gugulethu gogo writes 5 books in 4 years

Photo Cred: David Ritchie

Nofundile Mayathula-Memani is proof that’s it’s never too late to start living out your dreams… even if it’s at 84 years old.

The South African gogo (grandmother) has always loved writing and after winning a short-story competition in 2009, she finally received her first publishing contract.

Her first book, written in isiXhosa, was called ‘Ukuzenza Akufani Nokwenziwa’ which translates as you can’t blame anyone for something you’ve done to yourself.

“I was funded with money to bind and publish my book and it only took me two years to finish the book.”

“I was so happy when my story was chosen, I couldn’t believe it because there were so many people who entered the competition from across the country,” said Memani

Mayathula-Memani, found her passion… at 80 years old! She’s since written and published three more books and is just about to launch a fifth, Umthathi Uyawuzala Umlotha or a quality person can give birth to a useless child.

“My first book is Ukuzenza Akufani Nokwenziwa, about a man who cheated on his wife and then things got bitter for him, so he went back to her. All my books are written in isiXhosa, because I want to promote the language to young people,” she said.

“I realised I had a passion for writing while I was in high school, where my language teachers used to use my stories and essays as an example in class. In 2010 my daughter bought me a laptop which made my life easier.

“It is so nice to see my first book in local libraries and I am looking forward on finishing the fifth: Umthathi Uyawuzala Umlotha (a quality person can give birth to a useless child).”

The incredible Gogo’s books are available in all your local book-stores.