KwaNhliziyo-Ngise – Siyafunda
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I received my copy of Siya Masuku’s graphic novel KwaNhliziyo- Ngise via Mail. I tore through the envelope to the book and for a moment I was stunned by its green and red cover. I remembered a Kanye West statement about how good product design gives adults the feeling of unwrapping a Christmas present. I think his statement is a fitting recollection because this is a graphic novel written and illustrated for children, but its quality handles like a rare collectors item. But KwaNhliziyo- Ngise is meant to be handled and read because it serves an educational purpose of allowing children to start reading in IsiZulu.
After I began reading I wanted more text in the storytelling because it seems sparse, but after having read the 28 pages I realise there is enough.
I will focus on the Journey`s impact on myself because it still lingers as I write this piece. There are periods when our lives are in chaos. These are times that disturb our sleep. I received a copy of KwaNhliziyo- Ngise at such a time. So this is to say that I found Langa’s story fascinating and comforting because it reminded me to step back and marvel at the idea of looking within or the idea of following your heart. These ideas are not new, but in its beautiful illustration of the heart and also the Journey depicted here I started to think how as a 24 year old adult I have a heart that operates in keeping me alive with no effort from me. I iterate this because I believe KwaNhliziyo- Ngise infuses a sense of wonder and lessons in hope that will stick with kids from childhood to adulthood.
Fantastic audio review of KwaNhliziyo-Ngise on soundcloud. Click below to listen:
Review by Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang
Incwadi elotshwe futhi edwetshwe nguSiya Masuku, KwaNhliziyo-Ngise, inesiqubulo esinzulu. ULanga, uyintombi ehlala noGogo wakhe. ULanga unesibindi futhi uzimisele ukuphumelela empilweni. Kodwa kuze aphumelele kufanele alwe nobumnyama obufuna ukumphuca amathalente, nobuyena bakhe. Ngabe uLanga uzokwazi ukulwisa ubumnyama, kuze afinyelele kwanhliziyo ngise?
UMasuku ungumbhali nomdwebi unekhono elijulile. Ibali lika Langa liyamdonsa umfundi ngoba esejahe ukwazi ukuthi ngabe uLanga uzonqoba? Ngabe uzokubona ukukhanya kanye nempumelelo? KwaNhliziyo-Ngise ifanele amabhungu ngoba ingqikithi yayo incwadi esezingeni eliphezulu elingafanele oomuntuza abasebancane kakhulu. Engikuthande kakhulu ngalencwadi ukuthi ikhuthaza intsha ukuthi ibenesineke futhi nesibindi. Igcizelela kakhulu ukuthi amaphupho ayafezeka.
KwaNhliziyo-Ngise ilandela incwadi yesibili (uLanga) elotswe nguMasuku, nayo elandela impilo kaLanga. Eyokuqala inesihloko esithi, uNjabulo: emkhathini. Eyesibili, uLanga ikhuluma ngokwenza izinqumo ezifanele. Ngiyithokozele kakhulu nayo incwadi kaMasuku yesibili. Kodwa i-KwaNhliziyo-Ngise ijule kakhulu kunale yaphimbilini. Zincede, uzithenge zombili mfundi!