By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
The journey to freedom in Zimbabwe has not been an easy road for many; lots of lives were lost before and after 1980. Many have gone unrecognized and uncelebrated and this motivated the young novelist, Darlington Sibanda’s book titled “Conspiracy – Winds of Change”.
The fictional novel book is set to be launched on the 15th of April 2021 in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein. The author is also acting CEO of Eyethu Investment Holdings, which is a family run investment holdings company that has investments in connectivity, mobile apps, mobile games and other software developments.
Our Bustop TV Correspondent, Sukuoluhle Ndlovu (S.N) caught up with novelist Darlington Sibanda (D.S) for an insightful interview on the fiction novel.
S.N: What is the title of your novel ?
D.S: Conspiracy – Winds of Change.
S.N: What is new about the novel different from other novels that have been written before ?
D.S: The book is a work of fiction based on a few real life characters but it should be said that it is purely fiction and none of the characters portrayed in it went through these circumstances or are part of any conspiracies in any way.
S.N: Who are your target audience?
D.S: My target audience is every Zimbabwean and fantasy fiction loving story reader. So basically everyone who can read should grab a copy. It will be available in soft copies (R80) as well as hard copies (180)
S.N: Any character you are trying to portray in the novel?
D.S: The book is on the death of the late Retired General Solomon Mujuru. It is a work of fiction inspired by a real life individual who died under mysterious circumstances. Many Zimbabweans and people from across the world I believe found it hard to come to terms with the manner in which he passed on, so I tried to dramatize it in a way which embraces his heroics in the struggle for independence, by depicting his death in a respectable way.
Just to say he never died but he multiplied.
S.N: Any relevance the novel will bring to the audience?
D.S: As for its relevance, people will have to read the book and judge for themselves and would appreciate any feedback negative and positive as I look forward to launching a 3 part mini-series based on this book and another script under the same stable and frame of thoughts’
S.N: Any challenges you faced?
D.S: Challenges always boil down to sponsorship and funding and reaching a larger audience but thankfully we have your platform today which is reducing the challenge by allowing us to reach as many Zimbabweans as possible. So hopefully we can get a deal to move forward with the production of this project.
S.N: Words of encouragement to other novelists
D.S: Stay relevant and push harder than everyone else.
S.N: Tell the readers about yourself ?
D.S: I was born on September the 27th in Hwange Central. I attended my primary school at Sir Humphrey Gibbs Primary School. I did my secondary education at Regina Mundi Mission in Gwaai, Lupane before proceeding to Foundation Technical College in Harare for my A level. I hold a professional qualification in Humanitarian Work from the University of Zimbabwe. Later on l studied Media and TV broadcasting at Boston in South Africa though I ended up dropping out from Boston.
As a young adult, I have been actively involved in politics. I was at some point referred to as “Mujuru Red Eyed Boy” and served her while she was still VP and also as ZimPF President. I resigned and decided to take a break from active politics. It was then when I ventured into business. I am currently serving as Acting CEO of Eyethu Investment Holdings, a family run investment holdings company with interest and investments in connectivity, mobile apps, mobile games and other software systems.
S.N: Why did you decide to be an Author?
D.S: I never decided that I wanted to be an author. People deal with losing their loved ones differently, I will give an example with the now famous “Rasta” who paints a portrait of who ever will have passed away. I felt the need to write a book. It was page 1 from page 1, to page 2 and so on.
S.N: When did you start your career as an author, who inspired you?
D.S: I do not regard myself as a career writer; I guess it is just for the love. I have a passion for storytelling. As to when I started writing, I would say sometime in the 90s while I was in primary school. I was part of the drama club, I would write and direct some short staged drama.
Sibanda is working on a 3 party series he is going to release after Conspiracy- Winds that is when l will be releasing Conspiracy – Sins of the Father and so on. He started working on the novel in 2016.
