Share with Friends

This interview has been viewed 353 times.

Interview with Malesela Makwesa

Published 2024-01-18.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I watch movies, television or socialise, as all these entities feed my creativity because of the material they provide.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing when I was about 13 years old
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Alexandra Township. It is the socioeconomic challenges of this area that compelled me to share my experience, which is relatable to many people..
What is your writing process?
When an idea comes to mind I write it down, then begin to develop until I am confident that there is something worth telling.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? What was it about?
It was a Northern Sotho televison drama titled 'Go se tsebe ke kotsi'. The story was about two teenage boys involved in crime. But true to the title, they did not know the kind of danger they were putting themselves in.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy for me is when I lose myself in the writing and sort of become a character in the story myself. It's liberating
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I remember a novel titled Papillon. I read it because I had watched a movie based on it. But reading the novel I was astonished by how words can also become a motion picture.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
The first book will be 'Megokgo ya Bjoko' by legendary Sepedi writer O. K Matsepe. Besides the quality of language and characterisation, the book captures an era of local life now out of existence. Next book is a compillation of Northern Sotho short stories titled 'Go tseba Mang?' by H. Ramokgopa. The stories draw from lived experiences of real people. Here you get drama, mystery, witchcraft and thriller and all written with master class. The third one is 'Marema ka Dika,' by J. Rakoma. This book is like the manual of Northern Sotho. It documents traditional proverbs, idioms and other parts of speech that make up Northern Sotho as a language. Number four is a novel by John Steinbeck, 'Grapes of Wrath'. I was blown by the essence with which the writer captures the lives of ordinary people. The final novel is by Ken Follet titled 'The Pillars of the Earth'. This book depicts medieval England brilliantly. It made me want to write about African history, beginning from the reach of memory.
What do you read for pleasure?
I read anything from newspapers, magazines, online publications and social media posts.
What do your readers mean to you?
My readers make me the writer. I hold them in high regard because I am their servant and my duty is to satisfy them.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Bongi and Baboon by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 7,260. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Cultural & ethnic themes » Cultural interest, general
A Short Story: Bongi is a 12 years old girl who secretly befriends a stray baboon in Mabone Township. After the friendship is exposed, a group of community members turn up to kill the animal because of their belief in witchcraft, but Bongi stands fiercely in its defence.
Nthateng by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 6,160. Language: Sesotho. Published: August 9, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » African
A short story in Sesotho sa Leboa. Lapa la ga Digakile be le phala a mantši ka lethabo le mabobo go fihlela Morena Digakile a nyaka ngwana wa mošemane. Le ge Nthateng a le gona, Digakile a thoma le go duma morwa gore e tle e be mojalefa, gape e be molotaina.