Author Rikhotso mourns fallen KTC

Khazamula Thomas Charles Manganyi was a prolific writer

The Village Voice

Well-known author and former Munghana Lonene Fm researcher Dr Freddie Rikhotso has praised his fallen colleague Khazamula Thomas Charles Manganyi as a gifted and prolific writer whose usage of Xitsonga language was remarkable.

Manganyi, who was known as KTC died on Monday after a short illness.

He was one of the most respected Xitsonga authors and his passing is a big loss to the community.

“We were neighbours in Giyani as well as colleagues at the SABC and he was highly regarded in the writing fraternity.”

Dr Rikhotso said Manganyi’s books such as Hi Lembe ra Magidimbirhi, Mapapila ya Varhandzani and Anganyelani are popular.

Manganyi was born at Mavambe in Malamulele on 23 June 1953.

After passing his grade 12 examinations at Shingwedzi high school, he was employed as a clerk by the Gazankulu government’s department of agriculture and forestry.

In 1979, he left the job to join Radio Tsonga in Polokwane as a typist.

In 1982, he was amongst those who were deployed to work in Giyani.

He is someone regarded as a lover of the Xitsonga language from the young age.

His first book was Mapapila ya varhandzani published in 1983.

Some of the books that he published include Swa Yila, a novel published in 1988 and Nwarhimbirhi, a drama also published in 1988.

He has had a number of Xitsonga books to his credit.

One of his dramas Kwembe ro hiwa a ri na murhu won him an award and he was given an amount of R250 by the SABC in 1981.

He was presented with a check and a certificate.

In 1987, he left the job on the radio to go back to the government and became the secretary of the then minister JB Mnisi.

He later worked for the Limpopo legislature until his retirement recently.

Funeral arrangements were being finalised by the time of going to press.

The Village Voice condoles with the family for the loss of the giant. May his soul rest in peace.