SOWETO MANDLANZI

Mhlengi Classic Mafu

Author Soweto Mandlanzi is one of the most flexible writers of this generation his ability to excel in every space makes him a Jack of all trades.

Soweto Mandlanzi is a man that needs no introduction but to the few that don’t know him. He is the author, publisher, MC and businessman his first book Just Teething for a New Thing was released was published in 2012. Just Teething for a New Thing became his gateway to the market as an author. After that he released the jaw dropping book called Dear Jacob which talks about a radical connection between Jacob from the bible and former President Jacob Zuma. Dear Jacob is one of the most decorated and highly celebrated books that, the author has ever worked on. It is an intriguing book with a very unique style which makes him different from other writers as he describes himself as very adaptive writer. He has the ability to tap into any genre as a creative writer he can go from investigative journalism, to motivational and many other genres of writing without any limitations.

His recent and most talked about book that he has authored is titled,Decoding 6669 The Inexplicable Life of Senzo Meyiwa which is not just a biography. It is the most riveting, fascinating and intense production of Senzo Meyiwa actions in all angles. The book is well crafted and it decodes the life and times of the late Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goal keeper Senzo Meyiwa. This book is not just an investigative piece in a form of a biography but it is a collection of different styles that are well structured. He narrates all the events and he lets you decide as he challenges your level of thinking through this book. It is a very informative piece of literature that is not only about uncovering the truth but the author unpacks some very important life lessons from Senzo Meyiwa’s life.

Talking about his journey as a writer he says, “Books differ there’s a book that you have to write and there’s a book that writes itself through your hands it is just waiting for you to put your pen and paper together and the ideas flow.” He says he’s been very lucky to connect to books that want to write themselves through his hands. When talking about his style of writing he says, he always looks at the concept and the content to derive the message if it means that he has to change, the way he thinks or write in order to get into the mind of the reader he does that. “A lesson for writers is that, the message is more important than the messenger and sometimes we want to be seen in the book that is why writers get into the obsession of over-fixing the book because they want to be seen how perfect they are, they want to be seen how eloquent they are yet sometimes the message should be as simple as it can be.” This is what makes his books different because as a writer he focuses on the message which is more important. However he stresses that it is very important to be an adaptive writer. A writer that can adapt in any style which opens more room for creativity and opportunists it breaks the barriers of limitations as stated.

It was at Grade 7 when he use to write letters to girls and one of the guys who was breaking up with his girlfriend in class asked Soweto to write a letter so he can give it to the girl that was breaking up with him. Unfortunately the class teacher found the letter and the guy from class denied that the letter was his and he pointed straight to the person who wrote the letter and that was Soweto and he was in trouble. It was at that time when he discovered his calling as a writer because his friends would often ask him to write letters for them to their girlfriends and they would give him few coins or treats to reward him for the work that he did. From writing letters to girls in school to writing books he really went through a transition that drove him to his calling. Writing letters to girls and songs in class for him that was a moment of discovery. Channelling his inner Sisqo as they called him referring him to an R&B singer that also influenced his love for writing as he was also writing songs at a very early age.

Soweto Mandlanzi is truly a force to be reckoned with a true talent and a Jack of all trades with an ability to do it all. His hunger to learn and be better in every space it breaks the glass ceiling of limitation and opens more doors of opportunities for him. Despite not having a television growing up he never lost faith in his vision he kept on pressing on and working hard. He says,“Many people are focusing on becoming instead of just being and thats a problem for me wanting to BECOME something. You are looking at a perspective that says you are not that, you want to become it, Whereas you already are, you are already are the person that you want to be. I was never in any space of wanting to become a biographer. I was in a space of being what I was at any phase of my life as an author.” He stresses that you must focus on who you already the aspiration should not to be famous or celebrated but focus because you already are, the person that you want to be. It is very important to realize that the process has already graduated you.

As an inspirational speaker certain aspects can be noted when having a conversation with Soweto Mandlanzi that he is an exceptional inspirational speaker he encourages young writers to focus at the level where they are and graduate at that level because if they graduate at that level they will step into another level. He says focus at where you are right now and whatever it is that you do make sure that you do it well. He further states “The process of metamorphosis is always natural instead of being intentional we must allow nature to gradually take its course.” The importance of allowing nature to take its course and graduating at the current level where you are is what he stresses so that you don’t have to rush the process but you need to focus on being the best at where you are.

As an author Soweto Mandlanzi has faced a lot of threats and challenges in his career and this is what he says, “Writing develops personality but you need to have character and character mans the ability too walk even when its dark because you can’t stop when its dark, because you know its more dangerous to be in the same place so its best you keep on walking until you see the light, so for me I have the character to keep on walking.” He further states that developing character is not just important as a writer but developing character is very important for everyone.
When asked if we can expect the second edition of Dear Jacob he says it is definitely coming out after he has met up with former President Jacob Zuma as there are processes that he has to go through.

However the second edition of Dear Jacob is on its way and it will be exceptional. As a mentor for young mentees he says the best thing is seeing your mentees evolving and graduating to the next level. He says we can expect more from his publishing company Istru Publishers which has published books like Cashflow Naked authored Soweto Mandlanzi and Jabulani “Cashflow” Ngcobo. Istru Publishers has also published Lizwi by Simphiwe Shembe and many other books. His company is has won the award as the best publishing company at The Book Behind Awards. He says there are also other projects that are due to come out over time we just need to stay close to his forms of social media. He encouraged young writers to keep on pushing and studying different ventures so that they can be better.