Nwelezelanga: The Star Child by Unathi Magubeni

With a rich vocabulary that is poetic and uncluttered, this debut novel is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is both a well-written and philosophical book. The story begins with Nokwakha giving birth at her village home, and when it is discovered that the child is an albino the midwife convinces her that it is a curse and she should snuff the life out of it before it takes another breath. The dreadful deed is done by the river, but the “all-knowing one” has other plans…

With an assured voice and eloquent prose, Magubeni invites us into the life of this extraordinary being, Nwelezelanga, the child who should not have been, contrasting the themes of darkness and light, embracing the unknown and unseen in a way no one else has – or can.

About the author

Unathi Magubeni, 35, is a writer, a sangoma and a trainee herbalist. He left the corporate world in December 2009 after successfully starting a company in telecommunication with two friends. He currently lives in the Eastern Cape. His first book, Food For Thought, a collection of poetry, was published in 2003.

Date of Publication: April 2016
ISBN: 9781928337249
Publisher: Jacana Media