At the age of 23 Khulekani Magubane, who holds a BTech in Journalism from DUT is reaching for the stars.
Magubane started writing creatively at the age of 9 and has published more than 18 books in the past 8 years. By age 15, he published his first book through a Non Profit Organisation called UmSinsi Press with the help of Felicity Keats, the Founder of the organisation who has always supported young authors who have come through her publishing company.
Looking back on his development as a writer, Magubane admits that he could have used a lot of practice before publishing for the first time, but is however happy that he has managed to grow and develop as a writer.
“I write poetry books, short stories, anthologies and novels for young adults. My poetry is more illustrative than moral. I write poetry to portray the world as I see it and not to preach or teach a lesson. I have a series of books called the Angels series which speaks to the social ills that young South Africans face and how the love of God found in Jesus Christ has the power to redeem and bring restoration and healing,” he said.
Magubane is currently a Journalist for Business Day in Johannesburg. Working for the newspaper has been a humbling experience for Magubane and he feels fortunate to have covered some of the biggest stories of the year including the Marikana saga, Lenasia homes demolitions, e-Tolling, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s race for the AU chair position as well as the Department of Health’s ARV triple fixed-dose combination milestone.
This young Journalist also mentors young writers in creative writing, some of who have been published. “I am also a contributing writer for an online magazine MindMap-SA led by a brilliant and young DUT BTech student Sihle Mthembu”, he said.
Magubane is not only gifted in writing but also has other talents to share with the world. He is a recording artist and producer for Motherland Media Methods which is a group of young musicians from his home town Estcourt, Midlands.
His recent book titled Racers Rats and Rubbish which was launched in April this year is one of his best, he said. The book talks of class gaps and inequality in the South African economy and society told through the life of a township rat. “It is a story that aims to tell the truth about the relationship between the haves and have-nots in society and how they treat and relate to each other. It doesn’t aim to convince the reader of anything but aims to show the truth as I see it”, he said.
Magubane is completing three books due to be launched some time next year and hopes to continue exploring with his love for writing and mastering it someday.
–Nomvula Sikakane
Pictured: Khulekani Magubane, the DUT graduate who authored over 18 books.
