The Day I Died - Softcover

Thembelani Ngenelwa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0795702442 ISBN 13: 9780795702440

Publisher: Kwela Books, 2008

Synopsis

Thembelani Ngenelwa is a personable 20-something guy who can't find a good job in Cape Town. Like many of his peers, he goes to Jo'burg in search of work and to catch up with old friends. After leaving a friend's house in an informal settlement one night, Thembelani and three companions are attacked by a group of gunmen. Running for their lives, the friends scatter in all directions, and Thembelani is chased after and shot five times at point-blank range, before being dragged over a railway crossing to die. Having sustained such serious injuries and after being in a coma for four days there is little hope that Thembelani will survive. Through his own tenacity, and the support of his friends and the hospital staff, he makes a full recovery. This is a remarkable true story of surviving the brutal and senseless violence that erupts daily on South Africa's streets.

About this title

About the Author:

Thembelani Ngenelwa was born on the 13 March 1977 in the village of Madladleni, Engcobo in the Eastern Cape. The eldest of three boys, he learnt his storytelling skills from his maternal grandmother who he says was excellent in narrating folk tales. He did his junior schooling at Esikhobeni J.S.S. and did his high schooling at Manzana S.S.S. in his hometown. He then went to the University of the Western Cape where he completed a degree in Computer Science and Information Systems. He started writing and performing poetry in his days as a student in university, inspired by struggle heroes and his unique surroundings. He is passionate about telling South African stories through the eyes of the marginalized. Thembelani works for UWC as a coordinator for ICT training.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kwela Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0795702442
• ISBN 13: 9780795702440
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 128