TSHITEREKE – He completed writing his manuscript three days before the closing date for the Limpopo Government’s Department of Arts and Culture’s literary prize competition. To everyone’s surprise, he scooped the first prize, which includes a trophy, a certificate and a cheque of R10 000.

This is the amazing story of a rising author, Rudzani Tshianane (34) of Tshitereke village outside Thohoyandou.

A commerce teacher at Silemale Secondary School near Mukula, Tshianane scooped the first prize for his drama manuscript titled A zwi vhavhi nyana (It is very painful) at a glittering function held at Oasis Lodge, Polokwane, earlier this month.

It is not the first time for Tshianane to win a literary prize. He was the winner of the same competition in 2000 when he took home a trophy, a certificate and R2 500 cash.

About his recent win, Tshianane said he dedicated his prize to all the people who encouraged him until he became what he is today.

“Although I worked very hard to win this prize, I will never forget to pass on my gratitude to all my friends, family members and fellow authors, especially George Magwabeni for giving me endless courage through and through…”

Tshianane started his writing career while he was still a high school learner in 1987. In 1996, he wrote a drama for Phalaphala FM (then Radio Venda) titled Na mushasha ndi nndu. The drama was received with huge excitement from the listeners of the station. He has also authored countless 30-minute mini dramas for the station.

Tshianane said A zwi vhavhi nyana is about a self-destructive modern woman who is spreading false allegations about her husband. He explained: “The story takes place in the family where a man marries a woman who comes along with a daughter outside wedlock. The father treats his stepdaughter with love and the mother suspects that there might be a sexual relationship between the two - but the father is just caring and treating the child as if she is his own. The mother also goes so far as telling her daughter not to communicate with her stepfather anymore and the girl becomes withdrawn and timid. The family is torn apart as a result of the false allegations spread by the mother that her husband is repeatedly raping the child…”

Tshianane talks about the moral of the story: “I wanted to send a clear message that not all men who have been accused of rape have actually committed it. Although some of them have done it, there are cases where men are falsely accused, leading to the unnecessary destruction of their lives…”

Married to Shumani, with a three-year-old daughter, Tshianane, he said he is still negotiating with different publishers for the publication of the book.

“Different publishers have approached me soon after the news of my first prize win. I have to weigh their offers carefully before jumping into conclusion. I am also consulting with my lawyers who are studying the contracts to find out which one suits me best…”

Asked how he strikes a balance between his roles as an author, family man and educator, Tshianane said: “It is all about hard work, perseverance and effective time management…”

Tshianane’s future plans include owning his own publishing house and holding literary lessons for budding authors who want to make it big in the writing market.