A literary giant has fallen
15 October 2020
A literary giant has fallen, that is how Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali has described the passing on of renowned author, Dr Gubudla Aaron Malindzisa. He was 76.
Death took Malindzisa at the time when the department and people of Mpumalanga still need him. “The department, working together with the National Library of South Africa, had planned to honour Dr Gubudla Aaron Malindzisa in March but the ceremony was postponed due to Covid-19. We had planned a big event to celebrate him and his work as part of the Classics Living Legends by reprinting his book, Hawu Babe,” said MEC Ntshalintshali.
“Mpumalanga has lost a literary giant who played a pivotal role in the development and preservation of SiSwati language through his writings. The province, especially the literary world has lost one of its brightest stars. He might have passed on but his work will continue to inspire us and generations to come, ” added the MEC.
Malindzisa was a man of many talents. He was a legal eagle, broadcaster, translator and a prolific author. He made a name for himself as an author of short stories, novels and plays in SiSwati such as Walutfota Lolumanti, Sandla Semtsetfo, Livi Lalabaphansi, Sekuhlonywe Tintsi, Sekuhlwile, Lifu Lelimnyama, Umhlaba Uyahlaba, Letiphuma Embiteni, Ngawubona Umngacabo Wami, Kahleni Phela, Simo Lesibucayi, Kuphilwa kanYe Kulomhlaba, Lalela Ngikutekele, Ngoneni Nkosi Yami and Tinganekwane tase-Africa. Walutfota Lolumanti became a classic radio serial on Ligwalagwala FM.