By Lesedi Setlhodi

It started as a joke between friends,but instead the idea blossomed and drew thousands of readers who could just not wait for another chapter to be written. 

Mike Maphoto the man who keeps you so captivated with his creative humorous writing skills. Maphoto’s prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony and precision.

His descriptions leave one as if standing in the South African landscape. He tells most relevant stories that hit home to most of the South African youth through his blog. 

“The Diary of a Zulu girl” consists of over 80 chapters. Its about a first year student at a tertiary level and her drastic life experiences in the City of Gold. 

 

Here is how our chat went with Mike…so seatback and relax while our crew, Lesedi Setlhodi talks to the finest author. 

 

 Before we get too deep, people would like to know the author behind the blog… 

 

Mike: I was actually born in Harare Zimbabwe. My parents are politicians and where also in exile. My father at the time was the Chief Commissioner of the ANC and is known as being the first South African black man to know that Mandela will be released. He was the one who broke the news to the ANC in exile.

As a General in Umkhonto we Sizwe,the airport was named after him in Limpopo province. 

I therefore comes from a political background. 

Law was a natural step for me, and I studied Political Studies(degree) at the University of Cape Town. After graduated back in 2007, I went back to Polokwane. I never worked as lawyer, but instead got into the logistic business. My father always had a philosophy, “You don’t go to school to get a job but to create jobs” 

With that he got me my first truck and that was it. I do consult though with my law degree but not as my main source of income. 

 

 Your blog draws attention of thousands of the readers from the very first chapter. Your way of writing is at the level that readers can relate to, your story hits home especially to the youth. Tell us more about how the “Diary of a Zulu girl” came to life…

 

Mike: The diary was not written to be famous or for popularity. On the contrary, it started off as a joke with one of my friends who likes name dropping. The trick was to see if he would say he knew all the people involved. The truth is that,he even said he grew up with Thandeka. However, I used real characters for real people and these are indeed true stories and experiences. I took four girls whose stories I know very well and combined them into one character,Thandeka Mkhize. This way I made Thandeka relives all the things they have experienced as though it was her life. 

 

 Many readers did not see this coming; the diary appears to be written by a girl whereas it is in real life scripted by a man. Why the twist of roles?

 

Mike: The aim was never to deceived anyone. Like I said, the blog’s popularity was very much accidental and it had been intended for a smaller audience. I believe women have more stories to tell than men because most women are reactive as opposed to proactive when coming to relationships. Most women have seen a lot and been through a lot in their day-to-day lives,but because culture, society and tradition dictate that a woman can not be too open about who she shares her favours with, these stories are left untold. Had the writer indeed been a woman a lot of women would have stopped reading because she would have been judged as a “whore” without people actually looking at the issues.

 

 Mike, what are your future plans? Is there a hard copy we should be looking forward to?

 

Mike: The hard copy is already in the pipeline. It is a lot of work as there is much to be done with it. Already the blog is being translated into Zulu and Tswana. The aim is to approach Education Department and say, here is a book that your grade 11s and 12s can relate with,which is full of life lessons.

 

 How true is it that your fans can expect a filmed version of the Diary of a Zulu girl?

 

Mike: It is very true. I am already in talks with a major broadcaster and we are at very advanced level. What is left is to sign and publicize. Its rather a big project considering the most sought after TV role in South Africa today.

 

 Any words to the youth of South Africa……..

 

Mike: The problem with the youth of today is not that we are overexposed to the media. The problem is we are miseducated and under-educated about what life is and should be. Whatever you do in life, take a moment and step back, consider whether what you are doing is necessary, how will it benefit you and others. Then mulls the consequences! Everything you do must have relevance. Don’t be a hero! 

A book is in the pipeline and so is the filmed version of the Diary of a Zulu girl with the main character being a village girl, Thandeka Mkhize. 

 

Mike is surely taking blogging to the next level and his fans are eager to get their hands on the hard copy and to finally seatback on the couch and enjoy the eventful series’ of Thandeka’s life.  

All the best with your adventures Mike! 

Meet Thandeka and other amazing characters on http://www.diaryofazulugirl.co.za 

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or contact us for more information regarding Mike Maphoto’ stories.