Nontombi Luthuli A Brave South African Author Living To Tell Her Story

Nontombi Luthuli - South African Author

Who are you?

Nontombi Luthuli – South African Author

My name is Nontombi Princess Luthuli 43 years old. I was born in Khayelitsha Cape Town on the 9th May 1981. I am the only daughter of Angelina Mankomo Mrwetyana and Khayalakhe Luthuli both my parents were born in eLundini Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape. I am a proud Mother. I am the Queen of Batho Pele Principles, Resilience and Action. I am a Public Servant with over 21 years experience in the Safety and Security Cluster serving the people with pride excellence and dignity. I have worked for the following organisations:

  • South African Police Service. I was a Police Officer. I joined the Police at the age of 21 years.
  • IPID as a Senior Investigator
  • Western Cape Police Ombudsman as an Investigator
  • Western Cape Department of Community Safety
  • Now working at The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service.

Where are you from?

I am from Khayelitsha in Cape Town but currently in Pretoria.

What is your book about?

My book is all about my true life experiences. Tshepo My Hope is all about strength, bravery and resilience. I have Survived what I thought would have killed me. I have Survived 2 rape encounters. I had to jump of a moving vehicle in one of these incidents. My own Mother was stabbed by my father in my presence. The knife entered her back & the sharp point exited her chest. I had to go and run for help. I tried to pull the knife from her back but she instructed me to go and look for help. She was confined in a wheelchair.

My Mother was a very strong woman selling afval to raise us. In 2011 My mother was involved in an accident that left in a wheelchair again. I took care of my Mother it was painful to see her in that state.

On the 05 July 2013 I have witnessed My brother being shot and killed in my presence it was an armed robbery at home in Khayelitsha. He died on my chest. The same firearm was pointed to my head. Few seconds later 3 bullets were fired my brother was killed in my presence.

On 05 July 2015 My Mother was diagnosed with lung, heart & kidney failure. It was hurting. she had to survive through Oxygen Machine and tanks 24/7. It was physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially exhausting. I have survived this phase.

In this book I wrote about my true identity dilemma in October 2016 my Mother opened up about my identity as I had a bed wetting problem. I was shattered I couldn’t believe. I blamed myself as to maybe I was the reason she was stabbed by Dad in my presence. I have never had the issue of bed wetting again. It was embarrassing I was ashamed by this.

On 22 May 2017 My Mother took her last breath in my presence. I was talking to her cutting her nails not knowing she was taking her last breath.

In February 2018 I witnessed my stepson drowning. He died whilst I was taking a video of him. I was accused of killing him as a stepmother. I wasn’t allowed at his funeral. It was painful.

In October 2020 I decided to quit my 14 years 11 months marriage. I was married at the age of 24 years to an 11 years older person. Age is just a number. That man was not matured he cheated. I once caught him sleeping with another woman. I had a firearm with me as I was a Police Officer. I have never shot at them I decided to walk away as painful as it was. I discovered in March 2021 through Facebook that he had multiple families that I did not even know of. A lot was revealed to me after I decided to quit. I do not regret my decision.

In January 2021 I was evicted in a house losing all the assets. I came to Pretoria to start a new life. When I arrived in Pretoria I slept on the floor but here I am today strong, brave in a healing process.

My book title is named after My son the apple of my eyes. He is the only child. When he was born I named him Tshepo meaning Hope not knowing he will become my hope when I was going through the most in my life. Tshepo saved my life. Seeing his smile gave me strength as I was ready to take my own life. I was suicidal because I have lost my loved ones and assets with a shot period of time. I was going through the most in my life. At some point I felt like a walking grave.

What motivated you?

I was recording my life encounters good and bad in diaries and journals not knowing they will become this beautiful but painful art telling my story. A friend of mine Ta Mni encouraged me to write a book about my life journey. He requested that I look for Putco Mafani one of the icons in South Africa. I did not hesitate We had a structure of my book on the very same day I met Putco Mafani. My book is also about inspiring, healing and empowering others out there. I am educating others through my life journey saying know when to leave where you are no longer loved, valued, appreciated and respected. I stay in a marriage of 14 years 11 months tolerating emotional  abuse. I kept myself in a cage that was not even locked. Red flags were there but I ignored these red flags in the name of love, in the name of my children. The same children who were getting hurt by this toxic marriage. I stayed in the name of he will change instead he became worse. I endured abuse for too long. When I decided to quit this marriage in October 2020 during COVID 19. This marriage ended over a telephone call that was it. A relationship of 16 years vanished just like that. I was treated like trash in this marriage. I was married to a serial cheater and a narcissist. I do not regret the decision I took quitting this marriage. It was painful.

How many awards so far?

I have won 2 Awards for the Publisher’s Choice -Most Inspirational Book 2024 and Contribution to Literary Arts 2024.

What’s your future plans?

I am busy with a follow up book. The book is about child abandonment and abuse. I have been surrounded by abused and abandoned individuals.

I was in isolation from 2021, 2022 and 2023 but God carried me through it all. I now understand that I was being shaped, sharpened and trained. There is a purpose I need to fulfil.

I would like people to know that tough times can make you stronger and wiser. I am now turning my scars into stars. I would like to see my book Tshepo My Hope making a series or a documentary one day. I know my story is already healing many souls. I have received reviews from people who bought my book. I would also like to see my book being translated into other languages and an audio book one day.

How many copies sold?

I have sold more than 1000 copies so far.

Does South Africa support arts or books?

I am a self-published Author and I am currently financing my book on my own. I do not have any sponsorship.

What can you say to upcoming authors?

I would advise them to keep dreaming. Keep on writing leaving Legacy for generations and generations. With God all things are possible. They must work hard and be passionate about their art. They must believe in themselves. Writing is a healing process too. Writing my book helped me to heal. I had to go back to those crime scenes I would cry whilst typing and stopped but continued. That is a healing process.

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