Double launch, double milestone for 21-year-old author Phetha Mpala

Nodumo Moyo [email protected]

Young Bulawayo author Phetha Mpala is set to mark her 21st birthday in a uniquely literary fashion when she launches two books, Grievances of Life and Sesitshadela Umkhuba in Bulawayo on September 21.

The double-book launch will serve as a celebration of Mpala’s growing literary journey, which began with the release of her debut novel, Amakhosikazi Esinyeyo, in December 2024. Her debut novel explored a range of social issues, including gossip, crime, child abuse, as well as moral and cultural decay.

In 2025, Mpala’s work received further recognition when she won the Best Matabeleland Writer award at the Community Business Development Awards and Triple Book Launch in Johannesburg, a major achievement that came about a year after the publication of her first novel.

Now, she is preparing to add two more titles to her growing body of work.

Grievances of Life, which Mpala first began writing while she was in Form Three, is a collection of short stories that confronts difficult social realities, including gender-based violence, death, health complications, disability and poverty.

“Grievances of Life was written when I was in Form Three while Sesitshadela Umkhuba was written this year. I was inspired to pen down Grievances of Life because of personal experiences and the pains around the people around me,” she said.

The book, however, took several years to complete after Mpala decided to rewrite the original manuscript.

“Grievances of Life took years because the way I had written it at school was substandard, so I had to redo the whole book while honouring the original idea and themes,” she said.

Her second offering, Sesitshadela Umkhuba, is an isiNdebele novel that critically examines marriage and the changing nature of relationships across generations.

Mpala said the book was inspired by the rise in divorce cases, gender-based violence, family disintegration and the growing influence of social media on modern marriages.

“Sesitshadela Umkhuba is an Ndebele novel critiquing the idea of marriage and its purpose, whereby we have seen a huge shift from the marriage setup of our parents or grandparents to what is happening now,” she said.

She said the writing process was emotionally demanding, given the weight of the issues she was exploring.

“The writing process wasn’t smooth because I am a very emotional person, so I had to close the book, take a break and then proceed some other time,” she said.

For Mpala, the September 21 launch carries significance beyond the publication of two new books. It is also her chosen way of celebrating her transition into adulthood by embracing the passion that has become central to her life.

“It is a way of celebrating my 21st birthday with what plays a larger part in my life – that is writing. Writing makes me whole and takes all my passion, commitment and resources, and doing this will be a milestone of having lived a life of purpose and meaning,” she said.

Through Grievances of Life, Mpala hopes readers will find encouragement in knowing that difficult experiences are not theirs alone and that many people are navigating challenging chapters in their lives.

“From Grievances of Life, in an era where many people are going through difficult emotional struggles, I hope the stories encourage each reader by showing that, whatever their story might be, almost everyone is dealing with their hardest chapter,” she said.

Despite facing financial challenges associated with writing and publishing, Mpala said she managed to cover the costs of producing both books and is now looking forward to sharing them with readers.

“This is an amazing stage that a young version of me never ever, even in my dreams, imagined reaching. This is the best thing that will ever happen to me. Because if life cannot grant you the opportunity, then you better make one for yourself,” Mpala said.