Local poet Sheila honours late son through biography

Local poet Sheila “The Poetic Queen” Mathebula from Bungeni has published a biography in which she pays tribute to her late son, Pfano Khomola, who passed away four months ago at the age of 16. The book, titled To Be Continued: A Brilliant Light – The Pfano Ambition Khomola Story, was launched on Saturday, 19 October.

Pfano, a Grade 10 learner at Hluvuka High School, fell ill in July this year and died six days before the scheduled closing of the Bungeni Initiation School. After Pfano’s death, his mother was left with only chapters one and two of his unfinished work. Last year, Pfano published his first book, Ndzaka ya Manana, which means "Inheritance of Mother." Mathebula completed the story and created a tribute to honour his life.

The book explores themes of resilience, hope, love, family, community, and embracing one’s uniqueness and purpose. To Be Continued also showcases the unbreakable bond between mother and child and the enduring power of love, even amidst overwhelming loss.

Determined to preserve his voice and continue his legacy, Mathebula decided to finish the work he had begun. “I immersed myself in Pfano's style, revisiting his chapters, notes, and ideas, and drew from our conversations and memories to ensure a seamless transition and maintain his voice. I reflected on our discussions about character development and plot progression,” she said.

She also incorporated his favourite phrases and language patterns, imagining how he would have responded to challenges and conflicts in the story.

Mathebula shared that the hardest part of writing To Be Continued was emotionally reliving Pfano's journey, facing grief, and balancing both the biographical and fictional elements. She added that the idea to write the book came from Advocate Cicilia Maluleke.

“To cope, I took breaks to reflect and recharge and sought support from loved ones and writing communities. I prioritised self-care and mindfulness. I prayed for guidance, reflected on Scripture, sought advice from spiritual leaders, and trusted God's plan, even during uncertainty,” she said.

Mathebula stated that the proceeds from book sales would go towards the Pfano Chess Foundation, which Pfano established last December and is now being managed by his elder brother, Pfunzo.

Date:27 October 2024

By: Thembi Siaga

Thembi Siaga started as an intern during 2021. He assisted with video photography and editing. He also produced numerous small documentaries, focusing on the Vhembe region and its people. Currently he works as a freelance journalist, covering stories in the Elim area. Thembi studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, where he completed his diploma in Journalism in 2021.

Read: 111