Busisekile Khumalo: Sunshine & Shadows

The Cheeky Natives

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In this novel, Busisekile asks what it means to be a young woman asked to make difficult decisions in impossible situations.
Centred around Vimbai, a young Zimbabwean woman navigating young adulthood amid an economic crisis. She faces significant childhood trauma and we see its subsequent manifestation in her overachievement, detachment and other relational issues. These issues are compounded by the complexity of dating and navigating those additional layers. Both of her love interests are deeply problematic, flawed and unlikeable in varying degrees.
We are captivated by these love stories.
Navigating adulthood is impossible without community and Vimbai is no exception. There is an exploration of imperfect women still holding each other with grace as friends.
Busisekile also explores the complexities of queer lived experiences in queerphobic spaces.
Romance, parental failings, economic challenges – these are some of the themes Busisekile deftly explores.
We sat with her to discuss the complexities of love, choice and growing up.

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1. Busisekile Khumalo: Sunshine & Shadows (00:00:00)

2. [Ad] The Odysseys of Alaythia (00:40:12)

3. (Cont.) Busisekile Khumalo: Sunshine & Shadows (00:41:01)

4. [Ad] The Poetry Podcast with A (00:48:06)

5. (Cont.) Busisekile Khumalo: Sunshine & Shadows (00:48:49)

6. [Ad] Amanda Vint's Podcast (00:58:57)

7. (Cont.) Busisekile Khumalo: Sunshine & Shadows (00:59:38)