Writing has always been a lonely thing for me, as in a thing I do when I am alone.
After writing alone for a while, I started craving a real community of writers much like the ones I have formed in engineering and equipment. Upile Chisala had just moved to Johannesburg and started a class called the Khala Series. Set in the beautiful Keyes area, we had teams of people who sat down for a beautiful syllabus , it was so important for me.
We had one class per month, and at the peak of my traveling. The syllabus tackled one’s writing identity , habits , vulnerability and so much more. What moved me the most was seeing so many people who were just like me, they had a life and a life as a writer that challenged their daily lives too.
“Upile” , in my home language siSwati means , “Be well, get better, lived .” depending on the context and tone.
The class ended of with a big house party celebrating our progress as writers, as women. We had such fun ! Upile brought us into her home and made us tea.
All the softness she describes, is exactly who she is . You’d have to read her books and use her words to describe the absolute radiance of her aura & nature.
Three books have been published by writers from the series.
Talk about Black Girl Magic !
- As the wind blows – Taongazee (TZ)
- A Nguni Scribe – Nomathemba Magagula
- Broken Porcelain – Relebone Rirhandzu eAfrika
Follow Upile on IG @BeingUpile and buy her books !
