Radio personality Mafa Bavuma launches his autobiography Born For This by telling his story in theatrical form at the PE Opera House on Thursday at 6pm.
It should motivate those in attendance. Because, if you are either in doubt or facing hurdles about whether the career you are pursuing is meant for you, this book by the Umhlobo Wenene personality comes at the right time for you.
In Born For This, co-written by journalist Vuyani Green, Bavuma takes the reader on his life journey, offering insight into the circumstances which gave birth to the man behind one of the most infectious laughs on morning radio.
In a story as unsurprisingly humorous and authentic as the radio host himself, the reader not only gets to know the author on a more personal level but will also be inspired to push harder, yet more patiently, at what they are most passionate about.
Born and bred in KwaNonzwakazi in Alicedale, a small settlement community about 50km outside Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), the media all-rounder delves into an all-too-familiar tale of a black family who had lost either a son or father to activism during the days of the apartheid regime. In 19 chapters, the author touches on several stages of his life such as peer pressure, the life of a village boy exploring the city (Port Elizabeth), forming friendships that kept him grounded as he experienced college life at Nelson Mandela University, falling in love and cutting his teeth in radio.
In a touching narrative, Bavuma opens up about the pain of unexpectedly losing his elder brother – his biggest cheerleader and friend - then the pain of losing his mother.
From horrible bosses to a short-lived career in print journalism, finding a home at the SABC and his first trip overseas, Bavuma’s tale of what persistence has earned him is an inspiring one shared honestly.
In Born For This the writer uses humour to share even the toughest lessons life has thrown at him.
Though the book rounds up various personal and professional stages and experiences of the personality’s life, the biggest lesson is that, as the title somewhat suggests, when you are born for it, you are born for it.
Tickets for the book launch are R150 (R250 double) at Computicket. To RSVP, contact George Meko on 076-365-0477 or Lefty Ngqola, 072-150-0836.
Born For This is self-published and retails for R200 (selfdistributed).