The Saturday Sitdown: Godfrey Malibe - The Published & Purposed Author

The Saturday Sitdown: Godfrey Malibe chats with Us about His Love for Publishing & More!

An Award winning Author who has paved a path in storytelling in various forms of media. Published & Poised he's definitely written in Success with High Definition ink setting a mark that his stories aren't feebles but impactful drafts that send a notable message. Let's get to it.

Welcome to Mzansi Avenue

Thank You For Joining Us!

Aaron: So who is Godfrey Malibe and What Does He Do?

Godfrey: Who is Godfrey Malibe…Godfrey Rudolf Malibe is a national award-winning author who was born and bred in the rural area of Buffelshoek in Bushbuckridge. He’s the self-published author of 5 books and has been interviewed about his writing work on a national television station, Morning Live on SABC 2 by Simphiwe Ncongwane, and many national radio stations and newspapers. I’m a writing addict. I write every day. I am a contributor to Bushbuckridge News, which is a local/community newspaper in Bushbuckridge.

Aaron: That's amazing, congratulations! When did your love for writing kick-off or how did you know you can pen something so beautiful and worth reading?

Godfrey: My love for writing…Writing found me in 1991, at 13 when I was in standard 3 at Panyane Higher Primary. In our day, we used to receive letters at school at the morning assembly. They’d call out your name and you’d walk to the front to receive your letters. I enjoyed that. It also played a role in inspiring me to write more. Sometimes, I’d receive free magazines, newspapers, and brochures, and going up there to the front of every other learner would win you hearts. It made me a popular guy at the time.

Aaron: Wow! Springing into action, talk about seizing the moment. What inspired you to write about your first book? 

Godfrey:  I didn’t know I could write articles for magazines and newspapers until I started writing them. The book part…it came after a push from my two friends, Godwill Dira Komane and Shaka Franklyn Hlabane. They believed in me. They believed I could write a book. That wasn’t on my mind until I gave it a try. I started by compiling my letters that had been published in various magazines and newspapers. I thought that the space given in those were very limiting and I needed more space whereas I had more to tell. From there on, I had more beautiful stories to tell and information to tell. I knew my books would capture minds because I’m relevant to everyday life and real issues. 

Aaron: Having the right people who see your potential is essential, a big shout out to them. What's your daily motivation?

Godfrey: My everyday motivation is life itself. I’m inspired by people’s joy, people’s suffering or struggles, and every day’s challenges. My family inspires me to work extra hard every day.

Aaron: Nothing like relatable real life experiences...What's the one thing about you-- you wished you knew sooner and what is it?

Godfrey: Something you feel came sooner or later…Nothing comes to mind. I think everything happened at the right time and space, and the sequence of things that took place in my life is just what the doctor ordered.

Aaron: Very well said. Who are your influences?

Godfrey: Influencers in life. My influencers are people who work hard for themselves and ensure that they inspire others on their way to the top.

 

Aaron: Awesome. What kind of challenges have you been met with along the way and how did you overcome them? 

Godfrey: Mind challenges. I’d, at times, not believe enough in myself. Those were just minor challenges I had. For example, I didn’t believe I could write a book that would make everyone talk about it. Here I am, I am a renowned author in South Africa and many people talk about my work. My books are in libraries. My life is not the same anymore. Godfrey Malibe has become a public figure.

Aaron: Which is truly outstanding, congratulations once again. As a writer what have you learned from your own creative work about life and love?

Godfrey: Love and life…love does exist. It’s real and has two parts, true love and fake love. Life is a journey that one must undertake. It has bends and straight, stretched routes. Both teach demand respect from us.

 

Aaron: Profound and rich. Are you single? 

Godfrey: Single…I’ve been double since 2010 when my heart got stolen by a beautiful lady called Matlou Mokwele. She’s been a Malibe since we met and whispered nice words in each other’s ears. She’s a mother to my 5 kids now. So, I’m a loving husband to my wife and a caring dad to my kids.

Aaron: That's amazing, love is beautiful and celebrations to your family! Do you have a specific genre of writing and style or you're more not putting yourself into a box?

Godfrey: Specific genre of writing…I consider myself an all-rounder. I believe in telling beautiful and relatable stories. I write what is in my mind at that time. My first two books were non-fiction and books 3 and 4 are fiction and my recent one is non-fiction. I also write factual reports through opinion pieces to magazines and newspapers. Now, as a reporter, I write for Bushbuckridge News, a local newspaper in Bushbuckridge.

Aaron: Versatile indeed! 5 things you can't go a day without?

Godfrey: 5 things I cannot go a day without…my cellphone, my creative mind, and my family. 

Aaron: Nice! Who is your favorite Author and why?

Godfrey: Favourite authors…I like good books. Prof E’skia Mphahlele is one good author. Chinua Achebe is an African great. They’re both the epitome of writing. Also, there’s a host of good authors emerging locally. I follow their work. Jackie Phamotse, Malphia Honwane, Thabile Mange are some of my local authors.

Aaron: Some familiar names, the rest I'll definitely look up, taste! Where do you normally draw inspiration to write?

Godfrey: Inspiration…life and the need to succeed in everything I do inspire me every day.

Aaron: Would rather be in a romance novel or science fiction? Why?

Godfrey: Romance or Science Novel…I’d rather be in a romance than a science fiction novel. I’m more of a romantic author than anything else.

Aaron: Romance is epic. Which book, written by you is your favorite and why?

Godfrey: My favourite book out of all my books…To be frank, I love all my books. I hold them dear in my heart. They all have a different meaning to me. I fail to pick one from the rest.

Aaron: Sentimental, that's awesome. You have a new book, what's it about and what is the main purpose of it? 

Godfrey: New book…my new book is titled “Back To The Future”. This Godfrey Malibe is taking my readers back to where it all started, from the dreams, my struggles, my working hard, and all the successes. I open myself up to the reader. Everything you’d want to know about me is there in the masterpiece book. That’s my memoir.

Aaron: Definitely a must read! If you were stuck in an island what are the 7 things you'd take and why?

Godfrey: Seven things…my cellphone is everything to me, I can write another winner on it. I can connect to the world, to my family, I can buy things and be able to do everything on it.

Here's a game: 

A library or at home bookshelf?

Tea or coffee?

Coffee 

Long term storytelling or A quick finish?

Quick finish 

Protagonists or Antagonists? 

Protagonists

Typing or handwritten?

Written 

Comfort or Casual? 

Comfort in casuals

Aaron: Interesting Choices! Where can people order your books and are you on social media?

Godfrey: Contacts -

 I’m Godfrey Malibe on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

 

My WhatsApp numbers are 081 440 1196 and 076 896 4138.

Godfrey is truly an example of an excellent and established storyteller whether it's breaking news for the paper or insightful magazine articles he never runs out of moments to pen, with a consistent passion and never ending inspiration he definitely should be on your book shelf. Get yourself a copy and subscribe to his work. Congratulations! Celebrations. 

We're inspired. 

Thank You for Joining Us 

Until Next Time.

Mzansi Avenue.