For many black South Africans born before technology, in the villages, townships and pre-democracy, childhood experiences were unique though similar.
Herding cattles, sheeps, and goats, if your parents were fortunate enough to have owned any livestock or playing with a brick as an imaginary car was what many children did to keep themselves busy.
Every person has their own childhood experiences which always sound interesting to the next person.
In These Things Really Do Happen To Me, celebrated author and marketing guru Khaya Dlanga shares his intimate childhood experiences growing up in the Eastern Cape province.
From his relationship with his grandfather, who worked him hard to make sure he was not ‘soft’, to his schooling days in the post-apartheid era where he had to personally deal with racial slurs from a fellow pupil.
He tells his story in a candid manner, which will make many readers appreciate his honesty and relate to his childhood experiences.
This is a book that reminds everyone that we all have stories to share, and about the people who play a role in shaping our stories or ‘co-stars’ as Dlanga calls them.
Dlanga admits that ‘one of the primary reasons I wrote this book is because I feel that we have been through a lot of serious years. My book is meant to be light-hearted, talking about everyday life.’
With that, readers will laugh at some of the funny moments that he had to endure, like wrongfully introducing Paul Kagame as Nigeria’s President.
While he focuses largely on the lighter side of his upbringing and also his tough career trajectory, the scribe does not shy away from tackling South Africa’s tough socio-economic issues such as inequality at work, interracial relationships, and lobola practices.
Dlanga, who is a well-respected global marketing guru, delivered a book that will inspire a lot of young people, especially those still trying to make it to the top in rural and townships across the country.
A must-read book that will remind everyone about their childhood experiences and how to stay motivated throughout life’s tough challenges.
The chapters are very short and build onto each other nicely.
These Things Really Do Happen To Me is a hilarious, informative and inspiring book.