“Being lazy to think and strategise is killing a lot of people,” said Dr Ntavhanyeni Phaswana. He addressed the guests during the launch of his new book, License to print money, at Kennington Lodge a fortnight ago.

 “In this book, I write about the Tshakhuma Market Mentality – when one person opens up a stall and sells fruit and vegetables, all people want to sell fruit and vegetables. A human being's brain is not conditioned to think like that or work in that fashion. There are more other things that you can do.”

He spoke at length on the fact that people should not rely on begging. “Muthu ha li nga u humbela – u fanela u tou shuma (Each one of us must stop being a beggar and start working)!” he said.

He then urged the audience to transfer the skills of saving money (and using money wisely) to their children as well. “You buy a pair of socks on credit account, one sock goes missing and you are still paying for a pair of socks which you no longer have!” he said. “Why don't you save money and only buy in cash?”

“Nandoni Dam could be filled to capacity with water, but if one finds that there are numerous leaks along the pipes, even people who stay close to the dam will still not have water,” he said. “If you do not close up the leaks through which your money disappears, you will still be without money.”

All the successful persons who are mentioned in the book to illustrate points were also invited to the book launch and each was given an opportunity to speak from the podium. Among them is a former pupil of Dr Phaswana, businessman Mr Sam Ntshauba.

Ntshauba gave Phaswana a gift of R5 000 cash. “I understand there are books you have given to people free of charge, as you are a man with a good heart,” he said. “With this money, I am paying for all those copies.”

Phaswana said he would use that amount to print more copies of License to print money.

The event was also attended by Thovhele Vho-Gole Mphaphuli. Dr Happy Ramakhanya critically reviewed the book.

Mrs Angie'tjie Phaswana, the wife to the author, lit a huge red candle and said it was a well-wish for the book to reach a wide range of readers and touch their lives. “May God help, so that this book becomes a spotlight in this world,” she said. “I ask God to remove the curtain that hinders His people from seeing and reaching success.”

License to print money is available in good bookshops.