In his debut novel titled The Last Sentence, Tumelo Buthelezi tells a story of a scriptwriter Bandile Ndala who is looking to make a comeback in the scriptwriting/entertainment industry. Bandala’s quest to make a comeback makes him do everything in his power to fulfil that dream. However, struggling to get his writing juices flowing, he turns to a bogus traditional healer.
The visit to Thobejane(bogus traditional healer) results in Bandile’s lifechanging for the worst, as he is literally no longer in charge of his own mind and body. The spirit of Molly Shabalala, a young actress who was murdered and whose body parts were used for the concoction, now controls Bandile’s mind and body.
Now, I need to admit that Buthelezi’s style of writing is simple, the type that makes the storyline easy to understand from the onset. The scribe manages to build subplots that connect nicely with the main plot. Depression, psychosis, substance abuse, gender-based violence, human trafficking, religion and spirituality are some of the themes which form part of the narrative.
This is a story that many will appreciate and love, as it ends well for both Bandile and Molly. You probably trying to connect the dots as to how Molly (a zombie) could be part of a happy ending, right?
The chapters are so short that one doesn’t get lost in the storyline. A definite must-read, particularly in these days were femicide and substance abuse is on the rise in South Africa.