Dimpho Edwin Mabodimo Mphaga returns with a second edition for Broken Dreams

Review

By

Musa Gift Masombuka

We all have read the masterpiece Broken Dreams: And The Anthology Of Poems. This time the author Dimpho Edwin Mabodimo Mphaga has returned with a second edition titled Broken Dreams: The Awakening Past. This edition is a memoir written in chapters. It features a co-author Daniel Matsepe Mohlala who also shares a journey with Edwin. Broken Dreams is a movement of undiscovered truths; spiritual journeys for fulfilment; identity and belonging. The second edition features a foreword from poet and author Musa Gift Masombuka.

Pain, like a clenched fist against the broken mirror with tears of blood. And the past awakens, difficult to connect to, like picking up pieces of broken glass that pricks and inflicts pain. Hope is lost, like milk spilled over, impossible to recollect back to the bowl but instead swept and wiped away. Love is tragic, romance becomes an impossible puzzle to join and isolation feels like victory. The battles of life in this masterpiece never end and the authors award the readers the opportunity to predict the solutions by putting themselves in the shoes of the narrator.

The authors describe the book: “It is an escape, it all make sense in here. The voices are much louder this side, in my heart it is just a gunfire I hear. Louder and louder they become but in here my mind finds rest. The pain and hate calms, the dragon stops breathing fire. Like “uTatakho” this is a place I choose to forgive him, this is where we meet every night.”

And I describe it as a remedy that mends a broken heart; puts a wandering soul to rest and calms down mountains of emotions to a level ground. The authors communicate with us on a tranquil approach that speaks to us directly at heart, with every encounter being relatable; reading this book feels like listening to words of motivation coming from a dear mother.

They say first editions are always the best but I would like to differ and challenge the saying; this second edition is as good as the most selling book would be. Often authors overwork themselves, worrying about the reaction of the reader, but the authors of this book give us the tale plain and sheer.

Musa Gift Masombuka

Born on 1st April 1998, bred in Siyabuswa and grew up at Regae township in Marble Hall, South Africa. First son on his mother’s and last on his father’s side. Published poet at an early age of 15. He is an Arts group leader at his community. A SATMA Awards nominee of 2014. Musa has explored South Africa through his writings, reciting poems and accompanying performing artists of his community.